The need to belong is a fundamental and human motivation yet many children and young people’s experiences of belonging are ruptured across many domains. This essential book explores the different spaces in which children and young people belong and shows how we can cultivate a sense of belonging within our services, schools and communities and within children themselves.
Chapters break down key research and introduce practices which will inspire change, develop a trauma-informed culture and show how a relational web of belonging can be built for life. Drawing from the lived experiences of those who have spent time in care, the book highlights everything you need to deepen your understanding of the impact of trauma, inequity and marginalisation in children’s services and education. Advocating for the power of language, leadership and collective care, a working conceptual model for cultivating belonging is shared, which considers the FACES, SPACES and PLACES that can make a lasting difference. Reflections and practical takeaways are woven throughout to offer an accessible, informative and thoughtful read, with the child at the centre.
Bringing together professional practice, the ‘science’ behind it and powerful lived experiences, Weaving a Web of Belonging offers a true insight into cultivating belonging as an antidote to trauma. It is an essential read for all those who are supporting children and young people, especially those who are the most vulnerable, including education practitioners, leaders, social workers, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and families.
Table of Contents:
Foreword xi
Collective Care xiv
Acknowledgements xvii
Introduction 1
References 6
PART ONE Weaving the Web of Belonging: The Historical Weaving of Unbelonging 7
1 It Starts With Us 9
Introduction 9
My Relationship with Belonging 10
School Exclusion and Belonging 11
Education and Belonging 12
Professional Experience and Belonging 13
Data or Wisdom 14
Summary 14
References 16
2 Carrying the Burden of the Past 17
Introduction 17
Historical Exploration 17
Legislation 18
Unbelonging 21
Education and Children’s Social Care 22
Recent Legislation 24
Summary 28
References and Bibliography 30
3 The Stigma Wound 32
Introduction 32
Research Themes 33
Stigma and Movement 33
Types of Movement 39
Types of Stigma 42
Trauma and Stigma 48
Memories 50
Stigma and Power 53
Aspects of Power 55
Summary 57
References and Bibliography 60
4 The Impact of Unbelonging 61
Introduction 61
Language 63
Language and Labelling 65
Children in Care 66
School Exclusion 69
Exclusion and Children in Care 69
Trauma 73
Belonging 75
Underpinning Theoretical Frameworks for Thinking about Belonging 76
Contemporary Comprehensions of Belonging 79
Developing a Trauma-informed Culture 81
Summary 87
References and Bibliography 89
PART TWO Reconceptualising Weaving the Web: Contemporary Opportunities to Weave 99
5 Language That Heals 101
Introduction 101
Historical Overview 101
Importance of Language 103
Where Does Language Sit in Practice? 108
Speaking in Acronyms 111
Interpretation and Internalisation 112
The Language of Trauma and Stigma 114
Self-forgiveness 117
Summary 117
References and Bibliography 119
6 Leadership is a Verb 122
Introduction 122
Being a Leader is more than a Job Title 123
Creating Meaningful Connections 125
Emotional Intelligence 128
Summary 130
References and Bibliography 132
7 Intersection and Intersectionality 133
Introduction 133
Care as a Defining Experience 134
Positionality 135
Additional Needs 136
Mental Health, SEND and Wellbeing 138
Naming Exclusion 139
Racism 141
Endurance 145
Summary 146
References and Bibliography 148
PART THREE Reconceptualising Weaving the Web: FACES, SPACES and PLACES 153
8 FACES That Make a Difference 155
Introduction 155
FACES 155
Finding FACES 158
Summary 161
9 SPACES That Make a Difference 163
Introduction 163
Movement 166
Finding Belonging 168
Summary 169
References and Bibliography 170
10 PLACES That Make a Difference 172
Introduction 172
Summary 176
Bibliography 177
11 Beyond Practice 178
Introduction 178
Doing Better in Policy 178
Doing Better in Practice 181
Doing Better in Research 182
Summary 182
12 Closing Words 184
Prologue 187
Index 188
About the Author :
Dr Lisa Cherry is a leading international trainer, specialising in assisting professionals working with vulnerable children and families to understand trauma, recovery and resilience. She is the Director of Trauma Informed Consultancy Services, an organisation which provides a holistic approach to supporting those working in universal, targeted or specialist settings, services and systems. Lisa brings over three decades of working in educational and social care settings and a 30-year journey of recovery in overcoming her own experiences of trauma.
Review :
“Those of us who have followed Dr Lisa Cherry’s work for years look to her for a call to action—and Weaving a Web of Belonging is exactly that. But it is also something more: a generous invitation to pause, to reflect, and to rethink how we create spaces of connection. Lisa holds us entangled in a new understanding of belonging that lingers long after the final page.”
Tim Fisher, Principal Social Worker and Relational Activist
“There is a quiet academic feel about this book, interwoven with lived experiences. This is a real strength and helps sets the tone of bringing all that we are, with us. Weaving a Web of Belonging focuses not just on our experiences of the past but informs us of the future too.”
Sarah Johnson, Author, Director of Phoenix Education Consultancy and PRUsAP President
“Lisa is a thought leader. She has a handle on all the research, past and present, and she has lived experience. This is one of the best books I’ve read on this topic.”
Catrina Lowri, Neurodiversity Trainer and Consultant, Neuroteachers
“This is an evidence-informed contribution that also recognises the importance of lived experience. There are numerous ‘hooks’ throughout the book that help to conceptualise belonging and unbelonging with a focus on the care experience. The author writes with passion and provides provocations throughout to make changes that empower and humanise the education, social care and health experience.”
Kerry Murphy, Early Childhood and Inclusion Specialist
