The Libra Child

Children arriving at Libra:

• Are significantly emotionally dysregulated with little or no confidence, self esteem or resilience

• Have experienced failure and loss

• Have an inability to manage extreme feelings resulting in a wide range of anti-social behavioural strategies for coping with life

• Are behind peers in terms of social, life and independence skills

• Have a lack of aspiration

• Have a lack of understanding of others and their cultures and are often quick to intolerance

• Have experienced multiple ACE’s – Adverse Childhood Experiences

• Have little or no trust in adults

• Have often not been in full time education for some time

• Are stagnant in terms of educational progress.

Input:

• Well trained teachers and LSA staff in high numbers, with excellent knowledge of attachment, trauma and safeguarding with whom they can build attachments

• A well looked after property with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere offering a safe place to learn and develop and a haven for children with sensory difficulties to thrive.

• An imaginative curriculum reflecting the needs of every individual child in a well organised timetable designed to challenge academically but to develop spiritually and morally.

• A strong PSHE and Citizenship programme which provides opportunities for children to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour which will enable them to become motivated, independent and successful learners and effective citizens both within and beyond school.

• A range of varied opportunities to develop resilience, confidence and self-esteem through challenging and exciting outdoor activities, tips and visits, and Forest School.

• Access to professional play therapists and therapeutic support from Thrive and ELSA practitioners to support emotional literacy and an understanding of their life story.

• Access to a Speech and Language therapist who works individually with children to support their specific SALT needs.

• Social understanding learning to promote positive social interaction to support the development of empathy, tolerance, understanding and friendships.

• A holistic approach to the whole child where social and emotional progress are as important as educational progress.

Children leaving Libra:

• Have attained some Literacy and Numeracy qualifications as a minimum and have been challenged to succeed academically across all subjects at a level commensurate with their ability and difficulties

• Have developing life and independence skills to live at an appropriate level of independence

• Are able to contribute to a community usefully showing tolerance, understanding of others and respect for British law

• Can demonstrate age appropriate self-discipline and are more emotionally regulated, confident and resilient

• Have an increased repertoire of soothing strategies which they are using more independently to help them manage emotional dysregulation

• Have a greater ability to self-reflect and to consider advice offered

• Have excellent attachments to staff and a strong sense of belonging

• Are able to talk positively about themselves and their wishes and thoughts for the future. They have some aspirations.

• Are able to recognise the steps required to move forward in the achievement of their aspirational goals.