EVERY school in the Wokingham Borough is being offered access to an innovative online platform to help teachers support children who have been in care or affected by early childhood trauma.
The Children and Trauma Community Hub (CATCH) is a specialist website providing information, learning and support for anyone caring for or working with an adopted or fostered child.
CATCH was developed by adoption charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) in 2017. It offers thousands of pages of online resources, webinars, eLearning modules, films and podcasts covering the unique issues facing children and young people who have been in care.
With specialist resources on topics ranging from behaviour, mental health and therapeutic parenting techniques to neurodiversity, County Lines and cultural identity, CATCH equips teachers and education professionals with the tools to support children and young people in their schools.
A grant of £10,000 from Wokingham United Charities means that primary and secondary schools based within the Wokingham Borough can now have a year’s free membership for up to two members of their staff team.
All eligible schools are urged to contact PACT now to set up their funded access to CATCH.
PACT Chief Executive Natausha van Vliet said: “We are delighted to have the support of Wokingham United Charities. Their funding means that we can provide every school in the Wokingham borough with access to CATCH.
“We know that specialised skills and knowledge are key to supporting or caring for children who have experienced early life trauma as a result of abuse, neglect or loss.
“Every one of the thousands of resources on the CATCH platform is tailored to supporting children with these specific needs. This is an opportunity to ensure that all schools in Wokingham can access them.”
Amy Garstang from Wokingham United Charities said: “We had the opportunity to visit PACT’s head office in Reading and to see for ourselves the vital work they do with families, carers and professionals to help improve the lives of care-experienced children. We are honoured to support them to roll out access to CATCH to all schools in the Wokingham borough.”
Representatives from all primary and secondary schools in the Wokingham borough can request their CATCH membership by completing the registration form at www.catchconnect.org/catch-wokingham-and-windsor-schools. Live online introductory sessions to CATCH for all new members will be held later in January.
CATCH membership is open to any parent or professional who feels that they would benefit from this support for £5.99 a month or £60 for a year’s access. Find out more about joining CATCH at www.catchconnect.org
PACT has been building and strengthening families since 1911. PACT creates families through adoption services and provides lifelong adoption support, it empowers women who face multiple disadvantages to make positive changes to their lives through its Alana House Community Project and it supports children to heal from the trauma of domestic abuse through its Bounce Back 4 Kids programme.
