Becoming an Adoption-Friendly School: A Whole-School Resource for Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma or Loss - With Complementary Downloadable Material

This two-color guide offers suggestions for schools wishing to help adopted children and support adoptive families. While the book takes a UK perspective, with information on UK standards and organizations, techniques can be used in any country. After offering a rationale, the book gives ideas on planning for change, identifying needs of adopted children, facilitating children’s relationships with adults at school, and using a team approach. There is special emphasis on rethinking traditional behavior management approaches and instead responding empathically to children’s behavior. Also emphasized are working with parents, sharing information, and supporting staff. The guide includes an extensive glossary, further reading in several categories (for both professionals and children), and a list of UK organizations. The companion web site offers downloadable resources from the book. Annotation ©2017 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
Adopted children who have experienced loss, abuse or neglect need additional support for their emotional development, and are more likely to have special educational needs. This useful resource provides a complete plan for creating adoption-friendly environments in primary, secondary and specialist schools.The book is grounded on new research which gathered together testimonies from over 400 school staff members, adoptive parents and adoption specialists. With realistic consideration of pressures and limitations currently faced by schools, it gives advice on eight key areas for school development, including communicating with parents, training staff, using resources wisely and recognising children's individual needs. Completing the toolkit is a broad selection of photocopiable and downloadable plans for establishing adoption-friendly frameworks, and for demonstrating good practice to staff, pupils, families and school inspectors.
Based on research conducted by the adoption support agency 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.