New resources launched to support early years settings' response to critical incidents

The free ‘Critical Incidents for Educational Communities’ resources, developed by staff working with children and young people in educational settings, contain easy-to-use policy templates, staff training and lesson plans guided by five evidence-based principles – to ensure young people feel safe, calm, connected, in control and hopeful.

While major large scale critical incidents affecting a large part or the whole of a school or early years community are ‘rare’, the UK Trauma Council said that many institutions will experience the ‘serious injury or death of a child, young person or staff member’.

David Trickey, co-director of the UK Trauma Council, said, ‘Our new resources have been created with the recognition that preparations to manage the impact of critical incidents is key, so that even when emotions may be running high, leaders and managers can feel confident to support their students and staff.

‘While specialist support can be really helpful, it is not always necessary. Children and young people are usually best supported by adults they know well. They spend a lot of time in early years settings, schools and colleges, which become an important part of a young person’s life. These settings can help provide an environment that supports the recovery of those who have experienced trauma.’

He added, ‘In the event that education settings are affected by a critical incident, we hope that by using these resources it will help children and young people to feel more in control about future decisions that affect them and, while acknowledging the distress of the present, enable them to build hope for a more positive future.’