In 2015 the Institute of Education was awarded £1,000 for achieving over 55% student engagement with the University’s Course Evaluation Survey (CES). Following discussion with academic staff, the Institute Student Representatives decided to use the money to support the establishment of an Academic Society (Education Enhancement Society). In 2017 the society won the Student Union Award for best new society. When the Institute was awarded £1,000 in 2017 the Student Representatives decided once again to donate the money to the society. The money was to be used to fund a conference focusing on supporting children who have experienced bereavement.
In early 2018 Erica Brown was approached by members of the Education Enhancement Society Committee. During several meetings they discussed the possibility that the event should include the impact of adverse life experiences on children and their families from a range of situations. Hence the students decided on the conference title ‘Adverse Life Experiences’. The organisation of the conference was led by Sophie Palmer, the previous Chair of the Committee and Primary Teaching graduate (2018).
The conference attracted more than 140 students. Erica Brown (who leads an Early Years module on The Impact of Adverse Life Experiences on Children and their Families) gave the keynote address ‘When Sad Things Happen – children’s experience of adversity’. This was followed by David Strudley former CEO of Acorns Children’s Hospices, who provided an insight into Theories and Models of Bereavement. Dr Peter Unwin spoke about ‘The Adverse Effects of being a Looked-After Child’. The final speaker was Maddie Burton who provided an overview of ‘The Importance of Safeguarding the Mental Health of Children and Young People’.
Participants engaged well, posing some challenging questions to the speakers and their commitment to attending an event on a Saturday afternoon is to be commended. Feedback was extremely positive with a number of students considering the topic of developing professional skills for supporting children and young people facing adversity for their Independent Study.
Given the popularity of the conference and student interest in the topic it seems reasonable to conclude that there is a growing interest in the importance of equipping the children’s workforce in supporting children and young people who encounter adversity. The subject of adverse life experiences should be explored proactively (exploring loss, change and grief in the school curriculum) and reactively (supporting children and young people after an adverse life event).
The current Student School Representatives have decided to donate the 2018 £1,000 to fund a similar event next year. Erica Brown will continue to support the academic society in her role as School of Education Fellow. Sophie Palmer would like to continue her work with the School and Society in the future.
Erica Brown and Karen Appleby (School of Education)