Attachment theory explains the importance of a child’s emotional bond with their primary caregivers. If this bond is disrupted or lost it can adversely affect a child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing and may lead to trauma. Left unaided, attachment and trauma difficulties, such as bereavement, abuse, neglect or war, can have a lasting impact on a child’s social and cognitive development.

A learner with attachment and trauma difficulties may have problems forming strong attachments and relationships. They may display a consistent pattern of withdrawn behaviours or have episodes of unexplained irritability sadness or fearfulness. They may also be prone to lashing out or running away. Helping a learner to ‘engage and achieve’ in the curriculum and lead emotionally resilient lives requires access to educational experiences that foster confidence in abilities, teach self-regulation skills and model how to build secure and nonthreatening relationships.

The course content draws on the attachment-informed practice of Yarra Me School (a specialist school in Melbourne, Australia, delivering therapeutic education programmes) and the model of attachment training and research carried out by Bath Spa University. The content relates to learners in compulsory education (4-18 years), however, the theory and many of the assessment and intervention strategies can be contextualised and implemented in early years settings too.

This course aims to develop the knowledge, skills and practice of all education professionals working with children and young people (CYP) with attachment and trauma difficulties. You will learn how to assess the needs of the learner and go on to develop a support plan consisting of SMART goals and interventions, which you will implement and later review to determine how well it has met the learner’s specific developmental needs.

Our courses are structured into four sections. Click on the section headings to reveal page titles and some example content.