Student Support / Care Room Guidelines
Philosophy: When something traumatic happens at school, students need emotional and behavioral support. Some students may not be affected much, while others might be deeply impacted. Research shows that sending students home right away is not helpful, especially if they may not have support available at home. It’s better for students to hear about the event in their classrooms with trusted adults and peers, ask questions, and then return to their more typical routines if appropriate. However, some students may need more time and support to process what happened before they can get back to learning.
What is a Care Room? A care room is a special space in the school where students can get support after a traumatic event. The number of care rooms depends on how many are needed.
Function of a Care Room: The care room helps students who can’t join their class right away. It provides a space where they can deal with their emotions, like anger or sadness, in a safe environment. It also helps students who may be at risk of depression or suicide. The goal is for students to process their feelings and then return to their regular lessons when ready.
Care Room Staff: The staff in the care room may include counselors, nurses, psychologists, and other trained school staff. They should have experience with crisis situations and trauma-informed care. It’s important for staff to understand each other’s training to work well together.
Care Room Staff Leader: There should be one person in charge of the care room to make sure everything runs smoothly, like taking care of breaks and snacks. This person can also help with managing multiple care rooms if needed.
Care Room Staff Training: Care room staff should be trained in mental health crisis response, grief, and trauma. They should understand how children develop and how trauma affects them. Staff should also be trained to recognize signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, and violence. The training helps staff provide the best support for students in need.