Julie Harmieson from Trauma Informed Schools delivered a presentation entitled “What’s Needed in Education Policy and Practice to Prevent Childhood Trauma and Promote Recovery?” available to download here. This was followed by a wide ranging discussion with  representatives from education, the voluntary sector, academia, London’s Violence Reduction Unit, the Excluded Lives Project, and the Attachment Research Community.

There is real concern that current education policy and practice is contributing to the increase in school exclusions, particularly for children who have experienced trauma, as well as increasing emotional and mental health problems and emotionally based school avoidance. Damian Hinds, Minister of State for Schools, has agreed to a meeting and this is currently being arranged.

For further information on the APPG contact sarah@irct.org.uk.