PAC-UK has developed a range of resources to support families, schools and local authorities in meeting the educational needs of adopted and special guardianship children.
Adopted in School – Understanding the Needs of Adopted Young People
In this ground-breaking short-film, young adopted people and parents share their lived experience of the school system and how it impacts them in ways that are not always obvious or considered. They suggest ways in which the school system could be improved for them and many other students who need trauma informed support.
This short-film was co-produced with young adopted people who have accessed support from our Adopteens Service and was commissioned by five Virtual Schools across West Yorkshire; Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
PAC-UK ‘BRIGHTER FUTURE’ Publications
PAC-UK was the UK representative in an international project called ‘BRIGHTER FUTURE’ which was funded through Erasmus+. This 30-month project aimed to directly improve the educational experience of children in care and adopted children, through innovative training for some of the most important people in their lives – their teachers.
Working in collaboration with partners in Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, our consortium produced four publications:
- From protection to inclusion: Identifying the challenges
- From Protection to Inclusion: A Handbook for teachers on children in alternative care and adopted children
- Early adversity experiences and wellbeing at school: A training module for (prospective) teachers
- BRIGHTER FUTURE Online Library
These publications can all be downloaded for free on the BRIGHTER FUTURE page on The Autonomous University of Barcelona website.
Meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children – A guide for school staff
PAC-UK and Adoption UK have published two complementary education guides, for school staff and adoptive parents respectively, to help ensure adopted children get the best possible educational start in life.
The guides explain why these vulnerable children may need additional support in school, what educational entitlements they can attract and what support is available for them.
PAC-UK’s guide for school staff ‘Meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children: A guide for school staff‘ covers a range of topics including: what we know about our children in education, a background to early developmental trauma, whole school approaches, and support for schools and families.
Adoption UK’s guide ‘Meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children – A guide for adoptive parents‘ includes information about Virtual School Heads (VSHs), Designated Teachers (DTs), Priority School Admission, Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) and dedicates two pages to Intercountry Adoption and Schools.
Other guides for education providers
PAC-UK Cards – 4 up
PAC-UK case studies
PAC-UK Flyer – Supporting adopted and permanently placed children in school
PAC-UK Poster – We want you to know
Adoption UK: Meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children – A guide for adoptive parents [external website]
Becoming an Adoption-Friendly School
Based on research conducted by PAC-UK, this guide will show school leaders how to develop their adoption-friendly policies and practice, with photocopiable and printable resources. Identifying eight key areas for improvement such as staff training and communication with families, it is applicable to all school settings.
Purchase of the book provides access to an online toolkit, a bank of resources, templates and policies to help schools on the way.
The book can be purchased via Amazon here. For bulk orders and enquiries please contact [email protected].
Our Adoption Friendly Schools Charter which accompanies the book can be freely used by schools to communicate their efforts and journey towards becoming adoption friendly.
Pupil Premium Plus guide
The Pupil Premium Plus guide is a handy guide for schools and families on effective use of the Pupil Premium Plus funding.
All about schools
Our ‘All about schools’ booklet for adoptive parents and special guardians explains educational processes and school systems, for those who may not have recent experience of the education system.
Key questions for schools
Adoptive parents and special guardians often tell us that they would like help in identifying the most suitable school to meet their children’s needs. In consultations with families, we have identified some key questions to ask schools when you visit them.
Guide for primary schools
Guide for secondary schools
Me & My World
Included in the appendix of the Good Practice Guide for Schools, ‘Me and My World’ provides a framework for adoptive families, children and young people to share important information about the child’s strengths, needs, triggers and support preferences.
Example transition plan and strategies
Some children find change difficult. Adults can help support children manage change by scaffolding the process and supporting the child’s emotional well-being. The adults around the child may want to consider using a transition plan to help with the process.
Goodbyes & transitions
We are often asked about activities and resources to help children say goodbye at key transition points. We have put together some goodbye and transition suggestions in this document.
Reducing trip trauma
We know that school trips can sometimes feel dysregulating for children. Here are some ways families and professionals have shared with us which can help reduce trip trauma.
The parents’ guide to teaching your teen online safety
A practical guide for parents produced by MyTutor on how to keep teens safe online [external website], including useful summaries of popular internet apps, as well as the types of threats teens could be exposed to online.
Booklist
We have compiled a list of suggested reading about adopted children’s educational needs for schools, families, education and social care professionals.
