By the time a child finishes their education, one person in every class will have experienced an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) – a shocking statistic which equates to 40,000 children a year. A new guide has been developed for professionals to support their work with children with an ABI.
An ABI can be the result of an illness such as encephalitis or an injury from sports and activities or a road traffic collision. The effects are often hidden but can be life-long and can impact a child’s learning, engagement and long-term prospects. It’s essential a young person and their family receive the best medical care, rehabilitation and support to be able to make as full recovery as possible.
Thriving at school
It’s important that teachers and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) are aware of how to recognise and support pupils struggling after an ABI. Many students with milder injuries or concussion will need support for the first weeks or months, but those with more severe injuries will require Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support throughout their time in education.
An individual support plan tailored to each child is essential as everyone’s circumstances and injury is unique; what works for one child might hinder another. With the focus being on enabling the student to progress in their recovery, they will thrive personally, socially and academically.
A guide for professionals
One of the crucial components is ensuring a child is able to return to school successfully. Teachers and support staff play an essential role in rehabilitation after an ABI and a new resource by UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) has been released to support professionals involved in helping children and young people prepare for and achieve a successful return to education.
ABI Return – Children and Young People with Acquired Brain Injury – Guiding their Return to Education has been developed with support of The Children’s Trust, The Eden Dora Trust and Irwin Mitchell. We’re proud to support such a valuable resource alongside these charities and hope it will make a huge difference to all pupils with an ABI.
The comprehensive education booklet and checklists are freely available and are a welcome resource by professionals supporting young people with an ABI. The shared case studies also show what improvements can be achieved when the right support is in place.
The guide is relevant for ages 4-18 years from when the child is first diagnosed in hospital to recovering at home and in the early stages of returning to education. It outlines the impact of ABI on learning, who should be involved in supporting the child or young person’s return to education, guiding principles, and provides a useful checklist, information template and sources of further information and support.
Proud partners
We’re proud to have supported UKABIF since the charity formed in 1998. As one of their strategic partners and long-standing members we’re committed to making neurorehabilitation accessible to everyone and supporting those who experience an acquired brain injury.
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