The Attachment Aware Schools Partnership between Bath Spa Institute for Education and B&NES Council has been recognised for promoting the health and well-being of children in care.
The guidance, issued from the Department for Education and the Department of Health to all local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, NHS and healthcare bodies in England, stipulates that all groups must have regard to it when exercising their functions.
The Attachment Aware Schools initiative helps teachers and educational professionals understand how to support children’s emotional needs and development which can ultimately promote better learning and health outcomes.
A successful pilot programme was rolled out in schools in Bath & North East Somerset last year, and is now being developed nationally in a number of different areas.
The Attachment Aware Schools website provides clear guidance for education professionals, including useful resources such as video clips, research papers and where to access training in schools.
Following the successful recognition in the Government’s guidance, the Partnership will be holding a conference at Bath Spa University’s Newton Park campus on 26th June 2015.
Featuring keynote speakers Mary Gordon (Roots of Empathy Project, Toronto, Canada) and Professor Jeremy Holmes (Exeter University), speakers will discuss attachment theory and its implications for schools, as well as current research and classroom practice by teachers and other professionals.
Dr Kate Reynolds, from Bath Spa Institute for Education, said: “Here at Bath Spa we have a growing reputation for our vital work with vulnerable children and young people.
“We are immensely proud that our important work on attachment awareness has been recognised in the Government’s guidance and we strongly value our partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council to help make this happen.”
Councillor Michael Evans, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We need to find out what works best in supporting all the children in our communities.
“By working closely with Bath Spa University we have access to world class research and can build on this evidence base to improve their experience and life chances.”
To book tickets for the Attachment and Trauma Aware Schools conference, visit www.bathspalive.com
