Teacher's Role

“ The two things that kept me at school were flexibility in hours, so I didn't get into trouble when I couldn't make it, and a teacher who was persistent and really did her homework to understand me. She did her best so I did my best.” - Lyn, former pupil.

The teacher's role in assisting children and young people in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) is crucial. Being placed into care can be a traumatic and stressful experience and a child in OOHC may require special support and assistance. Teachers must remember that these young people can and will succeed in school and beyond, given the appropriate level of support and opportunities.

This section outlines teaching and learning strategies and techniques which can be used to create a positive, engaging learning environment for a child or young person in OOHC.

These strategies should not differ from those available to other students, but the teacher should still closely monitor progress and intervene, or provide additional support, if the child is not achieving their potential.

Important factors for all teachers to consider are:

• uninterrupted attendance at school is considered a positive and protective activity
• the teacher's role in supporting the child to feel secure and cared for
• a child will benefit from a stable, structured and supportive classroom environment
• identifying key concerns for individual children and implementing strategies to maximise the learning potential of every child
• clear and consistent rules and boundaries assist all children to develop a sense of safety and to control their own behaviours.

For more information, see:

• Positive Learning - strategies for effectively engaging and managing the behaviour of early-year, middle-year and older students
• Teaching and Learning Strategies - how to create a positive, stable and stimulating learning environment