The Psychology of Belonging

A 2-Hour Webinar for Schools and Professionals Working with Children and Young People

Overview

A sense of belonging is one of the most powerful psychological needs we experience as human beings. When children and young people feel that they matter, are accepted, and are valued within their community, they are more likely to engage in learning, develop resilience, and maintain positive mental health.

Conversely, when belonging is absent, the consequences can be profound. Feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, or marginalisation can contribute to anxiety, disengagement from education, behavioural challenges, and poor wellbeing.

This 2-hour webinar explores the psychology of belonging, drawing on research from psychology, education, neuroscience and trauma-informed practice. The session examines why belonging is so fundamental to human development and how schools and professionals can actively create environments where every child and young person feels seen, valued, and connected.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how belonging influences identity formation, behaviour, learning, relationships and emotional wellbeing, alongside practical strategies to strengthen belonging in educational and care environments.

Who This Training Is For

This webinar is suitable for professionals working with children and young people, including:

• Teachers and Teaching Assistants
• Senior Leaders
• SENCOs and Inclusion Leads
• Pastoral Teams
• Safeguarding Leads
• School Counsellors and Mental Health Leads
• Youth Workers
• Foster Carers and Residential Care Staff
• Social Workers and Early Help Practitioners

The training is particularly valuable for settings supporting children who may feel marginalised, excluded, or disconnected from school, including those experiencing:

• social isolation
• bullying or peer rejection
• school avoidance
• care experience
• neurodivergence
• trauma or adverse childhood experiences
• cultural or identity-related exclusion

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Explain the psychological importance of belonging for children and young people
• Recognise how belonging influences behaviour, learning and wellbeing
• Identify factors that may undermine belonging in school environments
• Reflect on how everyday interactions shape pupils’ sense of inclusion
• Apply strategies that strengthen belonging within classrooms and school communities

Host

Jessica Parker is the Director of Trauma Informed Consultancy Services (TICS) and mental health specialist, currently completing a PhD in Psychological Medicine at King’s College London.

With over two decades of experience in education, health, and mental health, Jessica has designed and led national programmes on trauma-informed practice and wellbeing for schools, social care, and national organisations including work commissioned by the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Jessica’s work is informed not only by professional expertise but by her own lived experience of personal loss earlier this year, which she shares in this training for the first time. Her facilitation combines gentleness, clarity, and courage, offering participants a deeply human space for reflection, learning, and renewal.

When?

2nd July 2026
3.30pm - 5.30pm

Where?

Online - Zoom

Organisational Booking

We welcome bookings from organisations and can accommodate payments via Purchase Order. If you are booking on behalf of a team or require an invoice for your finance department, please reach out to us at lyndsay@ticservicesltd.com or through our Contact Page. We look forward to supporting your team’s learning journey.