With more and more students scheduled to return to school, The British Psychological Society has recognised the difficulty this may cause for some pupils, and has produced a resilience and coping framework for supporting transitions back to school. This guidance focuses positively on strengths, hope and children’s ability to cope, rather than the language of risk, trauma, damage or illness.

Dr Dan O’Hare, lead author and co-chair elect of the BPS Division of Educational and Child Psychology, said: “There is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has presented and will continue to present challenges for individuals, families, schools and local communities. Children and young people have been unable to attend school, see their friends or teachers and some will have experienced sudden and upsetting events such as serious family illness or bereavement.

“However, it is important that we consider the different ways children have coped and encourage further optimism. As we move towards school transition, this new framework will help schools support individual children by considering their unique risk and protective factors, particularly those children that may be especially vulnerable.”

The framework in itself includes understanding and promoting resilience and shines a light on seeing positive goals, changes and influences. The pack also includes a section on how coping mechanisms adapt during times of change and that it is important to focus on how protect ourselves from overwhelming stress. The pack is advised to be used for individuals and classes as well as whole school communities. 

Read more about The British Psychological Society here: https://www.bps.org.uk/