The initiative aligns with Children’s Mental Health Week, an annual campaign designed to highlight the importance of mental well-being among children and young people
Ealing Council, in collaboration with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), is hosting a series of events from February 3 to 9 to raise awareness about children’s mental health. Parents, carers, and professionals who work with children and young people in the borough are invited to attend workshops, talks, and a special cinema screening aimed at improving understanding of mental health challenges among young people.
The initiative aligns with Children’s Mental Health Week, an annual campaign designed to highlight the importance of mental well-being among children and young people. Ealing Council’s children’s services recognize the crucial role that foster carers, social workers, and support staff play in safeguarding children’s mental health. To this end, year-round resources and support services are available for those involved in caring for vulnerable young people.
Understanding the Needs of Children in Care
Dr. Lori Bain, a clinical psychologist working with Ealing Council’s children’s services, offers vital support to young people in care through regular support groups and drop-in services. She provides key insights into the mental health issues commonly experienced by children in foster care and how fostering can help in their recovery.
“Every child is unique, with their own personality, strengths, and way of engaging with the world,” Dr. Bain explained. “Young people in care are no different. However, children who have faced early challenges, such as trauma or difficult starts in life, may exhibit certain behaviors that reflect their past experiences. These behaviors often communicate universal needs: the need to feel safe, loved, and secure in relationships.”
Dr. Bain emphasized that understanding these behaviors is crucial for carers and professionals supporting children in care. By recognizing that these behaviors are often a response to past trauma, carers can better provide the stability and reassurance that young people need to heal and develop.
How Trauma Shapes the Brain
According to Dr. Bain, the human brain is highly adaptable, especially during childhood. However, for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, the brain may develop in ways that prioritize survival over emotional regulation and cognitive growth.
“For children who have lived in tough environments, their brains may have adapted to help them survive those experiences,” she explained. “When they move into a safer, more predictable setting, like foster care, it takes time for their brains to adjust. This delay can sometimes make their behaviors seem confusing to carers.”
Dr. Bain highlighted how the brain’s threat detection system remains highly sensitive in children who have faced trauma. This heightened awareness can lead to hypervigilance, resistance to care or support, and difficulty adapting to change. As a result, children may exhibit behaviors such as irritability, lying, or difficulty concentrating. Understanding that these responses are survival mechanisms rather than deliberate defiance is crucial for foster carers and support staff.
Recognizing and Responding to Behavioral Challenges
Children who have experienced trauma may struggle with emotional regulation and critical thinking. While survival-focused brain functions develop strongly, other areas responsible for managing emotions, decision-making, and impulse control may lag behind. This can result in behavior that does not align with typical expectations for their age. Dr. Bain outlined common behaviors that may arise due to these developmental challenges, such as emotional outbursts, where children may react strongly to minor triggers due to difficulties regulating their emotions, and sensitivity to their environment, where small changes in routine or surroundings may cause distress. Additionally, children may experience difficulty following instructions, as processing and responding to directions may require additional support. Some children may also engage in self-soothing behaviors, such as overeating, withdrawing, or repetitive actions as coping mechanisms.
To effectively support children in care, foster carers and professionals must create a safe, stable environment where children feel secure.
The Transformative Power of Fostering
Dr. Bain emphasized the pivotal role that foster carers play in the recovery and emotional development of children who have experienced trauma.
“Research tells us that healing happens through relationships,” she stated. “Even just one strong, caring, and reliable relationship can transform the life of a child who has experienced trauma.”
Children in care benefit immensely from carers who make them feel safe and secure, help them understand their feelings and past experiences, and respond to their needs, even when those needs are not immediately obvious.
Fostering provides a unique opportunity for carers to support young people in developing resilience, self-worth, and trust in others. Ealing Council encourages prospective foster carers to consider the vital role they could play in a child’s life and offers extensive training and support to those willing to step forward.
Looking Ahead
Through its Children’s Mental Health Week events, Ealing Council aims to equip parents, carers, and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to support young people’s mental well-being. By fostering greater understanding of childhood trauma and mental health challenges, the council hopes to create a more informed and compassionate community.
For those interested in attending the events or learning more about fostering, Ealing Council’s children’s services and CAMHS encourage the public to reach out for more information. Together, the community can play a key role in ensuring that all children have the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
