This section of the Care Experience Toolkit brings together a range of evidence-informed resources, tools, and guidance to support practitioners in promoting the health and wellbeing of care experienced children and young people. These resources are designed to help schools develop trauma-informed, relationship-based approaches that recognise strengths, build resilience, and support inclusion, participation, and achievement. By prioritising wellbeing and ensuring that children and young people experience safety, connection, and belonging within their school community, practitioners can play a vital role in improving outcomes and helping care experienced learners reach their full potential.

In line with GIRFEC, The Promise, and Dumfries and Galloway’s commitment to being effective corporate parents, the resources within this section support schools to create environments where care experienced children and young people are understood, valued, and supported to flourish

Understanding Care Experience, Trauma and Adversity

Research shows that care experienced children and young people are more likely to have experienced trauma, loss, instability and disrupted relationships, all of which can affect emotional regulation, wellbeing and engagement in learning.

• The Promise
• Psychological trauma and adversity including ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) – gov.scot
• Nurture, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma informed practice: Making the links between these approaches