Good practice to support Children in Care
- It is particularly important that the child has a specific Key Person.
- Make good observations - find out their interests, fascinations, and responses to different situations.
- Develop a Learning Journal that the child can take with them when they leave, as many CIC lose track of their memories in the future. It is a great thing to look back on when a family have only a little knowledge.
- Communicate effectively with the carers and social worker.
- In particular support personal, social, and emotional development (PSED).
- Attend the ‘Attachment and Trauma’ training offered.
- Use visuals to support transitions and understanding.
- Remember a child’s behaviour is always a form of communication.
Transition – Mind the gap
Transitions are a particularly challenging time for CIC as they will display attachment difficulties as they develop new relationships. They may have built up trust with one or two (or more) key adults in their early years’ setting, but they are now being asked to ‘move on’ from these trusted relationships to new ones.
Transition can cause high anxiety for children and can have a far reaching impact on their emotional wellbeing and academic achievements. Transition is a big responsibility for practitioners, families and carers, and should be made a priority.
Starting school
When the Personal Education Plan (PEP) meeting is held in the autumn term, it's important that any application for a school place is considered or made. Those attending the meeting will be reminded of the deadline for the application and advised to look at the school admissions website.
In the summer term, a transition PEP meeting will be held, when the designated teacher from the new school will also be invited and a transition plan can be put into place.