As September approaches, we’re sharing some resources that can help adoptive families prepare for the new term ahead.
School asks a lot from every child and young adult. There’s sitting still, listening carefully, learning new things, managing relationships, remembering equipment, multiple transitions, and following instructions.
For adopted children, who may have underlying attachment or sensory processing issues, these demands can be even more challenging. This can be due to the trauma they experienced at critical times in their earlier life. They can also find new environments make them feel threatened and unsafe. And a change in routine can be unsettling.
Whether your child is starting at a new school, or returning to a familiar one, these checklists, tips and guides can help you all get ready for the new term together.
- Our educational psychology team have some practical ideas for preparing for transitions.
- We’ve also published some resources that our Family Practitioners frequently use with families to help with back to school anxiety: survival at school.
Adoption UK transition hub
Adoption UK offers a comprehensive transitions hub with:
- Checklists for returning to school
- Factsheets for transitions into Primary 1 and from secondary school
- Blogs from adoptive parents and professionals
- Practical advice for managing anxiety and change.
Visit the Adoption UK transitions hub to explore their range of support.
You can also read their Getting It Right For Every Child guide: this aims to help parents have a better understanding of the education system and how to be effective advocates for their children in school.
PAC-UK support for transition planning
PAC-UK provides:
- A guide for adoptive parents and school staff on supporting adopted children
- Transition planning tools and trauma-informed strategies
- A short film, Adopted in School, co-produced with adopted youth
- Resources on Pupil Premium Plus, Designated Teachers, and Virtual School Heads
Visit the PAC-UK guide to school transitions.
First4Adoption resources for supporting adopted children
First4Adoption provides guidance and resources to support adopted children in education, including a video resource to help teaching staff understand trauma-related behaviours.
Visit the First4Adoption guide on education.
BBC Bitesize
For more general support, the BBC Bitesize website has lots of videos and guides for parents, children and young people to help get back to school ready. From mental health to what to pack in school lunchboxes, these short guides can be great to dip into.