'FASD Informed' Virtual School
Updated: Aug 20
Supporting children looked after and previously looked after with prenatal alcohol exposure, likely or confirmed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and complex needs.
The ‘FASD Informed’ Virtual School Stage 4 Programme is designed for professionals who support children looked after and previously looked after who may be affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and complex overlapping needs.
The programme supports early identification, personalised learning and effective safeguarding for children and young people who may be vulnerable, misunderstood or presenting with needs that are not immediately visible.
This course is particularly relevant for Virtual School staff, teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, Designated Teachers, designated safeguarding leads and wider team members working across multi-disciplinary teams with care-experienced children and young people across schools, alternative provision and multi-agency networks.
Why this training matters
FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that can affect learning, communication, regulation, executive functioning, capacity, risk awareness and social understanding. It remains frequently misunderstood because many children and young people with FASD may appear more able than they are due to spiky cognitive and neurodevelopmental profiles. Without informed training, needs can be misread as defiance, poor motivation, attachment-related behaviour or deliberate non-compliance.
‘FASD-informed practice’ means looking beyond presenting behaviour, considering the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing brain and central nervous system, and asking:
“What does this child need?” rather than “What is wrong with this child?”
For Virtual Schools, this lens is essential. Children looked after and previously looked after may have experienced trauma, disrupted attachment, placement change, exclusion risk, unmet neurodevelopmental need and complex safeguarding concerns.
FASD-informed practice helps professionals interpret behaviours more accurately, plan support earlier and scaffold need in ways that are compassionate, realistic and evidence informed.
Stage 4 programme focus
FASD NICE Quality Standards and what they mean for practice.
Reflective safeguarding practice and risk assessment for hidden disability.
Personalised care and support planning for children with complex profiles of need.
Understanding fluctuating capacity and how this affects learning, safety, communication and expectations.
Case management approaches for stuck, high-risk or complex situations.
Effective multi-agency working across Virtual Schools, schools, alternative provision, carers, social care, health and wider support networks.
Developing evidence-informed, compassionate and consistent approaches that align with wider expectations around safeguarding and quality provision.
What participants will gain
A deeper understanding of how prenatal alcohol exposure can affect the brain, central nervous system, learning and functioning across the lifespan.
Greater confidence in recognising vulnerabilities that may sit behind behaviour, including processing difficulties, impulsivity, confabulation, fatigue, sensory stress, suggestibility and safeguarding risk.
Practical educational and therapeutic strategies for indoor, outdoor and alternative learning environments.
Tools for supporting more accurate case formulation, risk planning and personalised provision.
A shared language for working with carers, schools, social workers, health professionals and alternative provision teams.
Stronger confidence in advocating for children and young people whose needs may be hidden, misunderstood or underestimated.
Programme pathway
Stage 1: An introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, exploring the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain, nervous system and learning.
Stage 2: Translating theory into practice, including processing speed, communication, perseveration, confabulation, curriculum differentiation and practical strategies.
Stage 3: Forward planning for emerging needs, switching techniques, transitions, carer and parent needs, vicarious trauma and short- and long-term support.
Stage 4: NICE Quality Standards, reflective safeguarding practice, personalised care, fluctuating capacity, risk assessment, case management and effective multi-agency working.
Delivery
Our bespoke online sessions are delivered by an experienced, qualified team and tailored around the needs of the families, children and young people you support. Sessions are offered in bite-sized format and can be arranged during school hours, out of hours or on INSET days, allowing your team to engage at a manageable pace.
All participants receive ‘FASD Informed’ certification, resources and access to our network of FASD Responsive professionals.
What participants say
“It was a complete lightbulb moment for me. I attended thinking it would tick a box; this training absolutely is not that, as it literally changes lives. I now look at every child I support through a new lens.”
Virtual School, North Somerset
“The experience of the speakers was so rich and valuable to my role. They provided huge insight into the difference my job can make. So inspiring and energising — thank you.”
DSL, training funded by Virtual School
Next steps
To book a placeholder diary dates for this online training delivered in 4 x 90 minutes sessions, please email info@fasdinformed.co.uk
We also offer 1:1 consultation and attendance at meetings for stuck or complex cases requiring flexible, creative thinking and a fuller understanding of the spectrum of need.
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