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The primary goal of any school is to support every student to achieve their full potential. To effectively meet this goal, all children and young people need to feel supported, safe, and ready to learn. This can be extremely difficult for children and young people who have experienced developmental and relational trauma, attachment disruptions, and/or […]

Supporting Professionals to Feel Confident Identifying, Discussing and Responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviour Children and young people’s sexual behaviours exist on a continuum from developmentally appropriate to inappropriate, harmful, and abusive. Understanding where a behaviour fits on this continuum, and how best to support the young person/people involved, can be a complex process that can […]

Children and young people who have experienced developmental trauma have often been exposed to environments which are chaotic, unpredictable, and unsafe. Developing predictable and consistent routines are fundamental to helping children to feel safe in their environment, and in their relationships with carers. School holidays bring lots of changes to routines, and this can be […]

The International Day of Happiness is a global movement towards a happier, more inclusive, and compassionate world. This year’s theme is ‘Happier Together’, which aims to remind us of the importance of feeling connected to others, and feeling we belong to something bigger than ourselves. Feeling connected Connection is important for all of us, at […]

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a world wide initiative designed to recognise and celebrate the strengths of people who are neurodiverse, and challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Activity ideas for young people Can you name more superpowers? Uniquely you How can Meadows Psychology Service help? Meadows Psychology Service has a wealth of experience offering […]

What is Developmental Trauma? The term ‘Developmental Trauma’ describes the impact of repeated and pervasive exposure to traumatic events or loss during infancy and childhood. Young people who have experienced developmental trauma have been exposed to an environment marked by multiple and chronic stressors. Frequently, these stressors occur within a care-giving system that is intended […]

Adverse experiences in childhood can have a lasting impact on a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and psychological development. In the UK, it is estimated that more than 1 in every 3 young people will experience traumatic events or adverse childhood experiences. To support the needs of all learners, it is therefore crucial that schools […]

Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is a term used to describe developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour displayed by children or young people which is harmful or abusive (Hackett, 2014). The term ‘developmentally inappropriate’ highlights the importance of considering the behaviour within the context of the child’s age and stage of development. This is important because behaviours that […]

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) are defined as traumas or significant stressors experienced in childhood that can have a significant impact on later health and development. ACE’s may be a single event, or prolonged exposure to something which threatens a young person’s trust, safety, security, or bodily integrity (Young Minds, 2018). Following early research, it was […]