Weaving a Web of Belonging: Developing a Trauma-Informed Culture for All Children

by Lisa Cherry

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032730813
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/02/2025
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

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.

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

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher