ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 looks at the origins and effects of unsupported, unthinkable and particularly early trauma, and its effect on learning and behaviour. The chapter acknowledges the importance of processing and integration of traumatic experiences through the support and emotional containment of thoughtful significant adults and discusses how nurturing relationships and resilient responsiveness enables children to play and talk through their worries and hurts. Conversely, the chapter also discusses how buried unintegrated experiences can easily become triggered and acted out both at home and at school. Such children need help. If a child doesn’t feel safe they can’t learn or relate appropriately, and their emotional growth gets stuck.
Several case studies illustrate the effects of abuse and neglect, highlighting the need and ‘healing power’ of second-chance attachment relationships for vulnerable children.
The chapter also includes a substantial section on understanding the dynamics of domestic abuse, leading on to helpful ways of responding and supporting children from such families in school. There is also a section on looked-after children.
