SUPPORTING ADULTS SUPPORTING CHILDREN

Specialisms

These are priority areas for supporting children and young people who are experiencing challenging life situations. As adults, we are vital in providing understanding and guidance for our children during these vulnerable times.

Specialism

Behaviour in Context

Our emotions are key to how we behave and relate with each other. Behaviour is a form of communication. This is especially true when a child is too young, confused or distressed to be able to express their difficult emotions with words. Children and young people can behave in ways that are challenging to understand within the classroom, home and community. As adults, we can see beyond this sometimes difficult behaviour, to see and hear the child’s expression and needs.

I work with professionals and parents to understand the emotions and needs that may underly a child or young person’s behaviour. This enables a relational approach to addressing behaviour issues; building supportive relationships. It is in the context of these positive relationships that children can be provided with clear, safe boundaries and expectations for their behaviour.

Support and advice is provided for teachers, education and social care professionals, foster carers and parents through specialist support sessions, consultations and workshops. We explore the meaning and emotions behind a child’s responses and behaviours and develop understanding and strategies to effectively support and bring about positive change.

One approach I introduce and support is Emotion Coaching. This enables professionals and parents to communicate empathy and affirmation of a child’s feelings, to help the child learn to understand and express themselves. This supports the development of emotional self-regulation.

I facilitate ongoing Group work sessions for professionals and parents; to develop skills and understanding and to be a space for mutual support.

Specialist support is also provided for children and young people; for individuals and in ongoing group work.

Topics for workshops and groups include:

Behaviour as communication: understanding children’s challenging behaviour

Developing a relational approach to improving behaviour

Intentional building of relationships

Emotion Coaching

Peer Support approaches in schools; including Circles of Friends

CONTACT Gill

Specialism

Loss and Transitions

We all experience endings and beginnings throughout our lives, as change and transitions inevitably occur. The loss of a loved one is a particularly challenging and vulnerable time for each of us. Grieving is a natural process, with each child and each adult experiencing and showing this in their own personal way. We see the cycles in nature; of loss, adjustment and rest, release, drawing on inner and outer resources, renewal and new life emerging.

Many children and young people will experience significant loss, through the loss of a parent, sibling, grandparent or friend. Children may also face the loss of a much loved family pet, which can be hugely significant for them. Children can feel a whole range of emotions, such as intense sadness, anger, guilt, which can be confusing and overwhelming. It may be difficult to express their feelings and thoughts in words. Adults at home and school have a key role in providing a safe and reassuring environment for a child to move through their grieving process and adjust to this significant change in their life.

Through consultations and support sessions, I advise and guide teachers and family members as they support a bereaved child or young person. This includes acknowledging our own personal experiences of loss and change and how we may feel a range of emotions as we support a child. This helps us to be fully present with a child as they grow and adjust through their own experience of loss and new beginnings.

Practical steps are helpful; including preparing for predictably sensitive times and incorporating opportunities within the curriculum for children to learn to recognise and express their feelings. This contributes to an emotionally literate classroom.

Transition times, such as a change of beginning a new nursery or school or moving into a different year group can be times of vulnerability for all children. This can be heightened if a child has experienced significant loss in their lives. Sensitive planning can support children and young people to ease these times of endings and beginnings.

Support and advice is provided for developing whole school and classroom approaches to supporting transition times; for the benefit of all children in the school community. This includes training and development activities, such as workshops and focussed staff group work.

I also provide specialist support for children and young people who have experienced loss and significant changes; as individuals and through facilitating group work with others who are also facing these challenges. Group work is a highly effective way of supporting growth and development, with mutual support.

CONTACT Gill

Specialism

Children in Care

Children placed in foster care, away from their birth families, deserve the highest quality of understanding, care and support we can provide. Each child will have their own unique story, with particular experiences of possible neglect, abuse and trauma. The disruption to the process of making healthy attachments with key caregivers has a huge impact on children’s wellbeing and development. All children in care have experienced significant loss, with the process of being taken into care. Some children experience more than one change in home, whilst they are in foster care. These experiences all impact hugely on a child’s emotional and social development and needs.

I provide specialist support for foster carers, adoptive parents, social workers and school staff; with regular support sessions and specific consultations. Together, we discuss and explore the issues that emerge, understanding the child’s perspective and planning best ways of meeting the child’s needs. It is vital that professionals living and working with children with such challenging life experiences have high quality support, themselves, with consideration for their own feelings and thoughts. Then it is possible to be fully present for the child and develop positive, nurturing relationships.

My support and training for foster carers and adoptive parents includes developing a Therapeutic Parenting approach. This creates a safe place and gently enables a child to express their feelings and thoughts, in their own time.

Specific support is provided for transition times within foster care and also to enable an adoption process; with specialist support provided for adoptive parents.

Schools and teachers are key in effectively supporting children and I collaborate with them regarding individual children and developing whole school approaches. School has the potential to be a place of safety and enjoyment, which is extremely valuable in supporting a child’s healthy development and recovery from painful experiences.

Workshops and ongoing groups are provided for foster carers, adoptive parents, social workers, support service and school staff; to increase understanding and further develop effective approaches with children and young people.

Topics for workshops and groups include:

Understanding attachment

Supporting children emotionally through transitions

Developing therapeutic parenting

Effective support for foster carers and adoptive parents