Supporting Pupils
BackSupporting and educating pupils who are experiencing a state of vulnerability
At The Goldfinch Trust we recognise that:
Everyone can experience vulnerability during their lives. This is important to recognise. Some vulnerabilities are easy to spot, so these children and learners can get support more easily. Other vulnerabilities can be tricky to spot and may be ‘hidden’.*
To support early understanding and effective planning, we use the Department for Education’s identifying categories to inform our initial enquiries. These include pupils who may experience vulnerability due to:
- Special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
- Eligibility for pupil premium
- Children who are / or who have previously been ‘looked after’
- Known involvement with social care services
- Mental health difficulties
- Family stress, trauma or safeguarding concerns
However, we understand vulnerability more broadly as the experience of multiple and/or complex needs or circumstances. A pupil’s experience of vulnerability is not fixed; it can change over time, be shaped by multiple factors, and may not always be immediately visible.
In our schools’ context the majority of our pupils will experience a state of vulnerability during their time with us. Many are facing significant, severe or life-changing medical and / or mental health conditions. We also recognise that these experiences may be compounded by prior social, economic, educational or family factors. These might include but are not limited to:
- Parental attitude towards their child’s illness
- Parents who are not equipped to advocate for themselves or their child
- Racial trauma
- Adverse experiences of school
- Exploitation in any form
For this reason, we take a personalised, compassionate and curious approach to supporting each pupil. We are committed to safeguarding wellbeing through protective environments, flexible and creative educational solutions, promoting pupil voice through trusted adults who work holistically to listen to and meet pupils’ needs throughout their learning journey at our schools.
