Conversations that Make a Difference for Children and Young People

In this unique book, international trainer and consultant Lisa Cherry invites professionals from education, social work and healthcare to engage in conversations on a range of pertinent topics and issues affecting children and young people today. Divided into three main parts, which introduce attachment, adversity and trauma, each discussion places an emphasis on emotion and the understanding that we have as humans for compassion, empathy and connection. By encouraging collaboration between sectors and exploring a range of intersecting themes, the conversations take the reader on a winding journey to broaden their depth of thinking, reflect on their practice and to consider the central message: that we can bring about social change, one interaction at a time. This book is a call to action and an opportunity to look around and decide what kind of service we want to provide, what kind of community we want to live in and what sort of legacy we want to leave. At a time of ever-present social and political challenges, this book will stimulate conversations on current practice and professional development for the future and is a must-read for everyone working with children and young people.

Lisa Cherry is a leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting professionals working with vulnerable children and families to understand trauma, recovery and resilience. Lisa brings nearly three decades of working in educational and social care settings and a 30-year journey of recovery in overcoming her own experiences of trauma.

Acknowledgements Foreword Preface Biographies Part One Introduction: Thinking About Attachment 1. A Conversation with Dr Eunice Lumsden: Social Work, Adoption and the Early Years 2. A Conversation with Jamel Carly: Child Development, Early Years and Youth Work 3. A Conversation with Andi Brierley: Criminal Exploitation, Intergenerational Trauma and Being In Care 4. A Conversation with To The Moon and Back Fostering Agency: Daring To Care, Relational Approaches to Fostering and Professional Love Part Two Introduction: Thinking About Adversity 5. A Conversation with Rachel Tomlinson from Barrowford Primary School: Teaching, Behaviour and Relationships 6. A Conversation with TIGERS: Apprenticeships, Nurseries and Leadership 7. A Conversation with New Marston Primary School: Diversity, Improving Behaviour and Realising the Vision 8. A Conversation with Fiona Holiday: Play Therapy, Artful Expression and Creating Safety Part Three Introduction: Thinking About Trauma 9. A Conversation with Cath Knibbs: Online Harm, Online Living and the Impact for Children and Young People 10. A Conversation with Sophie Gilbert: Social Work, Training and Preventing Burnout 11. A Conversation with Sass Boucher: Working with Trauma, Staff Retention and Staff Wellbeing 12. A Conversation with Benjamin Perks: UNICEF, Intergenerational Transmission of ACEs and Creating Trauma Informed Schools and Communities Conclusion 13. Bonus Conversation with Pooky Knightsmith Glossary