Merseyside schools recognized for trauma support for children

Three Merseyside schools have been recognized for their support for students affected by trauma.

Springwell Park Primary School and Cambridge Road Nursery, both in Bootle, and St Jerome’s Pre-School in Formby won Attachment and Trauma Sensitive Schools awards for the work they do.

The steps taken by schools range from giving children space during the day to reflect and vocalize their feelings to looking to find the root cause behind a child’s behaviour.

Springwell Park’s assistant headteacher Sarah Coyle said the national award recognized the school was “trauma sensitive for anyone who walks through the door”.

Schools said that integrating their approach helped not only students at school but also relationships with families at home.

A parent with a child at Springwell Park told BBC Radio Merseyside that the “very important” initiative had helped her and her family.

Mrs Coyle said: “It’s something we’re very passionate about at Springwell, understanding the experiences our children have and what they’ve been through.”

The awards, first launched in 2017, are accredited by Jennifer Nock Training and Consultancy.

Dr. Nock is a licensed psychologist who provides training for teachers, families and those in the care professions in areas such as attachment and trauma and autism spectrum conditions.

She said the awards were introduced to provide a framework of support and understanding for schools and other educational institutions where children and young people who have experienced adversity can “heal, thrive, play and learn”.

Dr Risthardh Hare, Sefton Council’s chief executive of children’s care and social education, said they would encourage any school in Sefton to see how the trauma-sensitive approach could be implemented.

“Not only does this approach benefit children and support them through negative experiences and difficult emotions, but happy and supported children learn better and do better at home,” he added.

“So many of our schools are already taking this approach and reaping the benefits and we will do all we can to support schools to nurture the wellbeing of our children here in Sefton.”