Training for parents and guardians
The courses below aim to support parents and guardians to use strategies to promote an understanding of the needs of previously looked-after children (PLAC).
Supporting Transition to Secondary School: PLAC
This training is ideal for: adoptive parents, carers and guardians under SGO or kinship care plans with Year 6 children.
An opportunity to understand the challenges involved in the transition to secondary school and explore useful strategies and support tools to help your child through it.
Key learning outcomes:
- Strategies to help prepare for secondary school transition
- How to manage endings and new beginnings smoothly
- How to support your child once the new term starts
- How to develop positive communication with schools
- What is needed, expectations and developing independence
Date and venue: 5 May 2027, 1pm to 2:30pm, online
To book, email: virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Supporting your Child in Education
This training is ideal for: adoptive parents (pre or post-approval / placement), carers and guardians under SGO or kinship care plans.
While Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) do better than Looked After Children (LAC) in education there is still a gap between their outcomes and others.
Key learning outcomes
To support parents and carers to:
- Explore barriers to education
- Understand their rights
- Develop skills to support their child in education
- Advocate for their child in education
Date and venue: 5 November, 10am to 12:30pm, online
To book, email: virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Understanding Sensory Processing
This training is ideal for: adoptive parents, carers and guardians under SGO or kinship care plans with Year 6 children.
Children who have suffered trauma are more likely than their peers to have sensory processing needs and for children with ASD / ADHD diagnoses this impact is doubled. This session will support parents / carers to understand sensory needs and to look at how these needs can best be supported both at home and in education.
Key learning outcomes
To understand:
- The 8 senses and how they are impacted by Trauma
- Sensory overload and sensory underwhelm and differences between these difficulties
- Some potential tools to support children with sensory difficulties
- The difference between a sensory diet and a sensory plan and to begin to create one for your child
Date and venue: 2 February 2027, 9:30am to 12pm, venue TBC
To book, email: virtualschool@leics.gov.uk
Resources
For post-adoption and education advice for your adopted child, you may find the links below useful:
- Adoption UK
- Beacon House free resources
- Coram
- Coram Life Education – The Adoptable’s Schools Toolkit
- Designated Teachers
- Health for Teens
- Leicestershire’s Local SEN Offer
- Statutory guidance
The Post-Adoption Centre
The Post-Adoption Centre has a number of useful guides on its education resource pages, including information about supporting transitions, school trip trauma, and Pupil Premium Plus.
The Post-Adoption Centre (PAC) Education Advice Line is open each Wednesday and Thursday during the school term between 10am and 12pm.
Staffed by Education Advisers, this service offers an opportunity for adoptive parents, special guardians, school staff, and social workers to talk through any school or educational concerns regarding adopted or special guardianship children, and receive advice and support.
Telephone: 0207 284 5879
Email: education@pac-uk.org
Leicestershire post-adoption support: 0116 305 3051