Having recently completed my Healing Together Facilitators training I have now had time to consider how this excellent programme will support all young people but especially those with SEND which is where my experience and expertise lies.
The Healing Together programme provides support for children and young people aged 6 – 16 who have been impacted by domestic abuse or violence. This trauma informed programme, based on 6 one-hour sessions can be delivered either one-to -one or with a small group.
The programme, created by Innovating Minds and trauma expert Jane Evans, ensures that it supports children and young people without reactivating stressful memories.
The facilitators have been expertly trained to deliver the sessions within an appropriate environment where the young person will feel safe. All the resources that are used are provided to ensure consistency of approach and supplement the activities provided by the facilitator. They are all age appropriate and accessible for all children and young people.
There will be many children and young people with identified SEND needs who are dealing with trauma in their lives but may not be able to share their emotions and feelings with an adult. The Healing Together Programme is a step-by-step approach to engaging with young people to get them to learn about how the body and brain can work together to help them feel safe and calm. It will give them strategies to ensure that their brain and their body feel safe and enable them to access school and social activities alongside their peers.
All sessions can be delivered in such a way that those learners who need a sensory input can be supported.
Each session is very carefully planned to ensure that each child is given encouragement and support to gain a greater understanding of their emotions and feelings without causing further stress and anxiety.
The programme begins with a comprehensive assessment process to ensure that the facilitator has all the information they need to offer bespoke support for a child. This will include information about their additional needs and difficulties the child or young person may have in accessing the sessions. This means that the facilitator can make appropriate adaptations to ensure the programme is accessible to all.
The most recent development is that Innovating Minds were asked if they could provide signing on all their videos. They reached out to ITV Sign Post who are recommended by National Deaf Children’s Society and they now offer sign language in the animations that are provided as part of the programme. This will enable all hearing-impaired children and young people to access the Healing Together programme.
Given that the current data is indicating that there has been a significant rise in incidents of domestic abuse and violence during the pandemic and many of our children and young people have been at home throughout lockdown it is highly likely that there is a significant increase in the number of those who have experienced extreme trauma over the last year.
Although this programme is vital at all times it is imperative that this programme is available to every child or young person that needs it as we try to return to the “new normal” and offer the support that this very vulnerable group will need as we move forward.