Helen’s approach is rooted in working with colleagues and families, to identify novel ways to overcome barriers which may impede a child's ability to settle and learn. She developed a whole-school approach based on the absolute importance of a child's need to feel safe and secure before anything else can be achieved. In steering the school to become an attachment aware school, the support to children and their families has improved. Using the attachment support model has achieved real improvements through greater understanding. The ongoing training and guidance for staff is a vital element of its success.
Helen provides support for the transition of the most vulnerable children into their secondary schools. Developing outstanding working relationships with secondary school colleagues is key to ensuring that transition is as smooth and successful as possible.
Helen is a Senior Leader in Education (SLE) and she works with the local teaching alliance to provide training, information, and support sessions about trauma and attachment. She also works alongside health, education and care colleagues across Derby City to reflect and plan on effective provision for vulnerable groups of children.
Helen experiences the worry, excitement, upset, enlightenment, confusion, pride, frustration and sheer satisfaction that working with children provides. She considers it a privilege to experience, first-hand, the positive difference that attachment support can make.
For more information or to book Helen to deliver training for your school or authority, please contact info@touchbase.org.uk
