This project aims to support schools in developing a trauma-informed approach to managing behaviour and inclusion in schools.

BFfC introduced therapeutic thinking to schools in late 2018 and the majority have now bought into the approach. Headteachers are leading change in their schools and BFfC provides ongoing training and support to help school leaders to embed the approaches.

In the academic year, 2016- 17 Reading schools were excluding children at a rate that was above that of other similar authorities. A disproportionally high number of children with SEND and those who have survived or were experiencing trauma were also being excluded and their educational outcomes post-exclusion were poor.

We staged a conference with the national Therapeutic Thinking Lead Angie Wadham in 2018. Since then, all but three schools have trained a senior leader on the three-day trainer course, we have run highly successful annual refreshers and exclusions have significantly reduced.

We offer the whole school and setting training, ongoing drop-in clinics, network meetings, bespoke consultancy, resources and course materials, including a CPD video package to support leads to embed the approach in their schools and a microsite blog for schools and officers to share information, successes and news items.

For more information on how your school can be involved, email: school.standards@brighterfuturesforchildren.org