Resources & Research
The resources discussed below are extremely useful tools to build on prior knowledge and guide educational practice whilst supporting children and young people with additional learning and support needs, such as those students in Out Of Home Care.
Click on the image to download the pdf file.
Click on the title to be directed to the revelant website (if available).
Calmer Classrooms by Laurel Downey.
Calmer Classrooms is a resource and course designed to provide principals, teachers and school support staff with frameworks for engaging students who have experienced trauma.
Understanding the effects of trauma on learning, social skills and development can increase our ability to prevent challenging behaviours and support these children and young people to heal and recover. The information given covers the following areas:
•Understanding the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on a child and young person’s development
•Identifying signs of distress and difficulty in students in order to prepare for and prevent trauma related behaviours
•Creating classroom environments that encourage regulation and decrease reactive behaviours for all students
•Understanding how to build relationships with these children and young people, to support them to heal from trauma
Calmer Classrooms is a resource and course designed to provide principals, teachers and school support staff with frameworks for engaging students who have experienced trauma.
Understanding the effects of trauma on learning, social skills and development can increase our ability to prevent challenging behaviours and support these children and young people to heal and recover. The information given covers the following areas:
•Understanding the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on a child and young person’s development
•Identifying signs of distress and difficulty in students in order to prepare for and prevent trauma related behaviours
•Creating classroom environments that encourage regulation and decrease reactive behaviours for all students
•Understanding how to build relationships with these children and young people, to support them to heal from trauma
Caring Classrooms by Laurel Downey.
Caring classrooms is a resource designed to foster an understanding of traumatised children and young people—written to educate parents and the school community on how to better understand and assist young people within their children’s school who have been affected by trauma.
Caring classrooms is a resource designed to foster an understanding of traumatised children and young people—written to educate parents and the school community on how to better understand and assist young people within their children’s school who have been affected by trauma.
Great Expectations- Supporting Children and Young People in Out-Of-Home-Care to Achieve at School Authorised and published by the Victorian Government: Commission for Children & Young People.
This resource has been developed to guide principals, assistant principals, student welfare coordinators and wellbeing teams, and classroom teachers support children and young people in out-of-home care by assisting them to:
~ know how and why students are in out-of-home care
~ understand key research about educational outcomes and concerns for students in OOHC
~ access information & advice relating to teaching and learning activities and pupil participation
~ find key contacts and resources that will enable them to more effectively support students in out-of-home care
~ meet their obligations under the Partnering Agreement.
This resource has been developed to guide principals, assistant principals, student welfare coordinators and wellbeing teams, and classroom teachers support children and young people in out-of-home care by assisting them to:
~ know how and why students are in out-of-home care
~ understand key research about educational outcomes and concerns for students in OOHC
~ access information & advice relating to teaching and learning activities and pupil participation
~ find key contacts and resources that will enable them to more effectively support students in out-of-home care
~ meet their obligations under the Partnering Agreement.
From Isolation To Connection: A guide to Understanding and Working with Traumatised Children and Young People by Laurel Downey
This resource provides a framework for helping traumatised children and young people to move from isolation (caused by experiences of trauma and disrupted relationships) to greater connection with family, friends and community. In the context of healing, greater connection is a result of improved physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and enhanced relationships skills. It is a useful tool for educators, professionals who work in the wider child protection system (including residential care workers), Child Protection workers, clinicians, case managers, police, Youth Justice workers, magistrates and others. It may be particularly helpful for those working in therapeutic foster care and therapeutic residential care.
This resource provides a framework for helping traumatised children and young people to move from isolation (caused by experiences of trauma and disrupted relationships) to greater connection with family, friends and community. In the context of healing, greater connection is a result of improved physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and enhanced relationships skills. It is a useful tool for educators, professionals who work in the wider child protection system (including residential care workers), Child Protection workers, clinicians, case managers, police, Youth Justice workers, magistrates and others. It may be particularly helpful for those working in therapeutic foster care and therapeutic residential care.
Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Research Project (CLLD) by SSAT (The Schools network)
The Department for Education identified through feedback from schools that educators needed a new teaching and learning framework to meet the needs of children and young people with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD). SSAT was commissioned to develop resources to support schools in educating these children.
Attachment Disorder is strongly linked to students in Out Of Home Care. This website contains a briefing sheet, classroom support strategies and further information to understanding this disorder and many more. Each document is available to be downloaded.
Other briefing topics are:
~ Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
~ Premature Birth
~ Rare Chromosomal Disorders ~ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
~ Mental Health ~ Sensory Impairment
~ Fragile X Syndrome ~ Autism
~ Effect of Drug Use and Smoking During Pregnancy
The Department for Education identified through feedback from schools that educators needed a new teaching and learning framework to meet the needs of children and young people with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD). SSAT was commissioned to develop resources to support schools in educating these children.
Attachment Disorder is strongly linked to students in Out Of Home Care. This website contains a briefing sheet, classroom support strategies and further information to understanding this disorder and many more. Each document is available to be downloaded.
Other briefing topics are:
~ Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
~ Premature Birth
~ Rare Chromosomal Disorders ~ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
~ Mental Health ~ Sensory Impairment
~ Fragile X Syndrome ~ Autism
~ Effect of Drug Use and Smoking During Pregnancy
Physical As Anything
Physical as Anthing website has been created for teachers, schools, healthcare
professionals, students and families. It provides detailed descriptions of more
than 50 conditions affecting school-aged children and young people. Importantly, it also describes the educational implications of each condition. All contributors are acknowledged as experts in their fields. The various sections are directed to:
~Teachers
~Parents & Carers
~Health Care Professionals
~A-Z guide of medical, developmental and psychological disorders
Each section has detailed information, resources and links to support children and young people with the various challenges they may face.
Physical as Anthing website has been created for teachers, schools, healthcare
professionals, students and families. It provides detailed descriptions of more
than 50 conditions affecting school-aged children and young people. Importantly, it also describes the educational implications of each condition. All contributors are acknowledged as experts in their fields. The various sections are directed to:
~Teachers
~Parents & Carers
~Health Care Professionals
~A-Z guide of medical, developmental and psychological disorders
Each section has detailed information, resources and links to support children and young people with the various challenges they may face.
A Snapshot: The Impact of Trauma on Learning. (From Calmer Classrooms)
'Snapshot' is a quick, user friendly guide for educators when looking beyond exhibited behaviours by children who have been abused or neglected. It highlights how trauma impacts on learning and suggests classroom practices that are beneficial for dealing with traumatised children.
'Snapshot' is a quick, user friendly guide for educators when looking beyond exhibited behaviours by children who have been abused or neglected. It highlights how trauma impacts on learning and suggests classroom practices that are beneficial for dealing with traumatised children.
Making Space For Learning: Trauma Informed Practice in Schools by the Australian Childhood Foundation.
This book focuses on understanding trauma in children and young people and how this impacts on their brain, body, memory, emotions, behaviour and relationships. A key component of this document looks at the impact on learning and how schools respond to traumatised children / young people.
This book focuses on understanding trauma in children and young people and how this impacts on their brain, body, memory, emotions, behaviour and relationships. A key component of this document looks at the impact on learning and how schools respond to traumatised children / young people.
Helping Traumatised Children Learn (Volume 1) by Massachusetts Advocates for Children & Harvard Law School
This book focuses on research from psychology and neurobiology that documents the impact trauma from exposure to violence can have on children’s learning, behaviour and relationships in school. The report also introduces the Flexible Framework, a tool organised according to six core operational functions of schools that can help any school create a trauma sensitive learning environment for all children.
This book focuses on research from psychology and neurobiology that documents the impact trauma from exposure to violence can have on children’s learning, behaviour and relationships in school. The report also introduces the Flexible Framework, a tool organised according to six core operational functions of schools that can help any school create a trauma sensitive learning environment for all children.
Helping Traumatised Children Learn- Creating and Advocating for Trauma-Sensitive Schools (Volume 2) by Massachusetts Advocates for Children & Harvard Law School
This book provides a process for creating trauma-sensitive schools and a policy agenda to provide the support schools needing to achieve this goal. Grounded in theory and practice in schools and with families, the Guide is intended to be a living document that will grow and change as more schools become trauma sensitive and add their ideas. The policy agenda calls for changes in laws, policies, and funding streams to support schools in this work. Together, the online learning community and the book are designed to complement each other, helping to build a growing and increasingly visible trauma-sensitive learning community.
This book provides a process for creating trauma-sensitive schools and a policy agenda to provide the support schools needing to achieve this goal. Grounded in theory and practice in schools and with families, the Guide is intended to be a living document that will grow and change as more schools become trauma sensitive and add their ideas. The policy agenda calls for changes in laws, policies, and funding streams to support schools in this work. Together, the online learning community and the book are designed to complement each other, helping to build a growing and increasingly visible trauma-sensitive learning community.
Residential Care Matters - A resource for residential care workers, supervisors and managers caring for young people. Authorised and published by the Victorian Government: Commission for Children & Young People.
This document is designed to support and compliment current practises and frameworks within models of residential care. It breaks down theory and best practise with an overview of residential care; a summary of current research on the characteristics of excellence in residential care; and a description of the resource base upon which the frameworks need to be implemented.
This document is designed to support and compliment current practises and frameworks within models of residential care. It breaks down theory and best practise with an overview of residential care; a summary of current research on the characteristics of excellence in residential care; and a description of the resource base upon which the frameworks need to be implemented.
A Guide to developing Personalised Learning Plans For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students- A professional learning resource. (January 2011) by Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
This document is to assist teachers and schools to deliver effective personalised learning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Personalised learning focuses on working with each student, in partnership with student’s parents or carers, to develop a plan that reflects the student’s goal and current capabilities and includes specific learning targets.
The following ‘Guide to developing Personalised Learning Plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students– A Professional Learning Resource’ outlines and identifies emerging good practice principles and key factors for success.
This document is to assist teachers and schools to deliver effective personalised learning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Personalised learning focuses on working with each student, in partnership with student’s parents or carers, to develop a plan that reflects the student’s goal and current capabilities and includes specific learning targets.
The following ‘Guide to developing Personalised Learning Plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students– A Professional Learning Resource’ outlines and identifies emerging good practice principles and key factors for success.
Closing The Gap by The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
This resource document focuses on A&TSI students and looks at the evidence on increasing the rate of school retention, achievement, and completion among Indigenous young people. It outlines what works, what doesn't, and what further research is needed. Topics include: current completion rates by gender, geographic location, and Indigenous status; causes of low completion; facilitators and barriers; and school culture and leadership, school-wide, and student-focused intervention strategies.
This resource document focuses on A&TSI students and looks at the evidence on increasing the rate of school retention, achievement, and completion among Indigenous young people. It outlines what works, what doesn't, and what further research is needed. Topics include: current completion rates by gender, geographic location, and Indigenous status; causes of low completion; facilitators and barriers; and school culture and leadership, school-wide, and student-focused intervention strategies.
A Trauma-Sensitive Approach To Education & Learning For Children Aged 0-8yrs
by Jenny Dwyer, Judy O’Keefe, Paul Scott, Lauren Wilson (2012).
This review focuses on the impact of trauma and concepts of neurobiology. It aims to enhance existing knowledge of child development by focusing on issues that are most relevant to understanding the impact of trauma and the impact on learning. A strong focus is on family violence, challenging behaviours and best practise to guide and engage students from traumatised backgrounds.
by Jenny Dwyer, Judy O’Keefe, Paul Scott, Lauren Wilson (2012).
This review focuses on the impact of trauma and concepts of neurobiology. It aims to enhance existing knowledge of child development by focusing on issues that are most relevant to understanding the impact of trauma and the impact on learning. A strong focus is on family violence, challenging behaviours and best practise to guide and engage students from traumatised backgrounds.
Highlands School Behaviour Focus Website
The Highlands School Behaviour Focus Website offers a vetted extensive portfolio of behaviour-related resources for DEC employees. It offers a wide variety of user friendly materials to assist staff with behaviour management resources that will enhance knowledge and skills, whether they are teachers, executive, SLSO, School Counsellors or SASS.
The Highlands School Behaviour Focus Website offers a vetted extensive portfolio of behaviour-related resources for DEC employees. It offers a wide variety of user friendly materials to assist staff with behaviour management resources that will enhance knowledge and skills, whether they are teachers, executive, SLSO, School Counsellors or SASS.
Individual Education Plan Goal Bank
A resource to support schools in formulating targeted outcomes and content for students needing adjustments to learning in an Individual Education Plan.
A resource to support schools in formulating targeted outcomes and content for students needing adjustments to learning in an Individual Education Plan.
Parenting for Grandparents and Other Relative Carers. Published by Child Safety Commisioner, Melbourne.
This booklet has been written for grandparents who are the full-time carers of their grandchildren and for other members of the extended family who are caring for children.
Relative care, also referred to as ‘kinship care’, is the fastest growing type of care in Australia and overseas. Carers may be brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, step-relatives or family friends, but the majority are grandparents.
This booklet has been written for grandparents who are the full-time carers of their grandchildren and for other members of the extended family who are caring for children.
Relative care, also referred to as ‘kinship care’, is the fastest growing type of care in Australia and overseas. Carers may be brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, step-relatives or family friends, but the majority are grandparents.
Care-System Impacts On Academic Outcomes. Research conducted by Wesley Mission Australia
Research into the impact of Out-Of-Home Care placement on educational outcomes has highlighted several care-system factors that may operate to diminish children’s chances of success at school. These include: lack of participation in school-based opportunities and extra-curricula activities, disruption to educational continuity and school stability (caused by factors such as court appearances, placement changes and parental visitation), lack of co-ordination and planning between significant stakeholders responsible for children’s care, and inadequate commitment, encouragement and support for education among carers and caseworkers.
Yet, while the risks that operate within the care system are manifest, it is recognised that children may have accumulated considerable risks for education failure as a result of trauma and deprivation experienced prior
to entering care. The quality and suitability of the school environment to manage, support and effectively engage children in out-of-home care in learning is another significant factor that appears to impact on education pathways and success at school.
Research into the impact of Out-Of-Home Care placement on educational outcomes has highlighted several care-system factors that may operate to diminish children’s chances of success at school. These include: lack of participation in school-based opportunities and extra-curricula activities, disruption to educational continuity and school stability (caused by factors such as court appearances, placement changes and parental visitation), lack of co-ordination and planning between significant stakeholders responsible for children’s care, and inadequate commitment, encouragement and support for education among carers and caseworkers.
Yet, while the risks that operate within the care system are manifest, it is recognised that children may have accumulated considerable risks for education failure as a result of trauma and deprivation experienced prior
to entering care. The quality and suitability of the school environment to manage, support and effectively engage children in out-of-home care in learning is another significant factor that appears to impact on education pathways and success at school.
A Home Away From Home- Children's Stories About Foster Care by Australian Childhood Foundation
A resource designed for use with children new to or currently living in statutory Out Of Home Care. The book contains stories about living in foster care and will assist people in supporting children.
A resource designed for use with children new to or currently living in statutory Out Of Home Care. The book contains stories about living in foster care and will assist people in supporting children.
Heart Felt- A Collection of Children's Experiences and Stories of Abuse, Recovery and Hope. By Australian Childhood Foundation
A compilation of images created by children and young people who have faced trauma. Many of the drawings in this collection are disturbing and distressing. There are also drawings that show the strength, courage and adaptability of children as they recover from the devastating impact of violence. These are drawings that can inspire hope in all of us.
A compilation of images created by children and young people who have faced trauma. Many of the drawings in this collection are disturbing and distressing. There are also drawings that show the strength, courage and adaptability of children as they recover from the devastating impact of violence. These are drawings that can inspire hope in all of us.
Other useful links to resources:
- Australian Childhood Foundation
- Smart Online Training for Managing Abused-Related Trauma
- Australian Childhood & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network
- Raising Them Strong
- What Works. The Work Program- Improving Outcomes for Indigenous Students
- Department of Family and Community Services
- Keep Them Safe
- Out Of Home Care DEC website
- CREATE Report Cards
- CIAO Care-System Impact On Academic Outcomes
- Interagency Collaboration
- Reclaiming Youth
- Child Development & Trauma
- Kids Matter
- Mind Matters
- Edmodo - http://edmo.do/j/5a9t6c
(Calmer Classrooms)
- Child Trauma Academy