Educators have spoken about the absence of clear, trusted information in the immediate aftermath of traumatic incidents, such as attacks, impacting their ability to respond with confidence, according to interim findings from a new research project.
Researchers brought together survivors of the Manchester Arena attack, and educators affected by the Southport attack, in a bid to deepen understanding of what schools experience in the aftermath of traumatic events.
The 'Bee The Difference in Schools' research project is spearheaded by The Bee The Difference campaign group, led by Lancaster University researcher and Lecturer in Social Work Dr Cath Hill, survivors of the Manchester Arena attack and charity, National Emergencies Trust. The project was made possible by IKEA, a Corporate Patron of the National Emergencies Trust.
The research brings together insights from workshops which included young survivors of the Manchester Arena attack, a Southport attack survivor, and more than 50 educators, pastoral care workers and other professionals from both incidents.
The workshops focused on determining what children and young people need - both immediately after an attack and over time - and what educators require to provide safe, consistent and sustainable support.
The research identified communication as the most critical factor in determining whether school-based support felt safe, timely and effective. Several workshop participants reflected on waiting for guidance that never arrived.
"We were all waiting for someone to walk in with a plan," said one person. "It never came."
In Southport, educators described learning vital information through informal channels such as parent WhatsApp groups, rather than through official routes. This created anxiety for staff and families alike - and made it harder to manage misinformation.
Communication challenges did not stop at the immediate response.
Teachers and young people repeatedly emphasised the importance of structured communication between primary and secondary schools, particularly at transition points. Without shared understanding, children were often required to start again each year, or with each new setting.
Educators and young survivors also reflected on the importance of communication with children themselves. Many children wanted to be informed in advance about sensitive topics, curriculum content or events, so they could prepare emotionally or opt out if needed.
"Children don't want to be ambushed," added one workshop participant. "They want to know what's coming so they can manage it."
Parents were widely described as a child's strongest source of support, but educators felt families were often left without guidance. Teachers expressed a need for clearer structures to help parents understand trauma responses and how best to support their children.
"Parents are the greatest support, but they need support themselves," another participant told researchers.
Overall, communication was not described as a single task, but as an ongoing process that underpins every other form of support.
The research also highlighted:
● Trauma support must be relational, consistent and child-centred
● Schools are willing to help but are under equipped without clear framework
● Community connection strengthens resilience for children, families and staff
● Long-term planning is as important as immediate response
"The more we can learn from the lived experiences of young people and educators, the more we can create really practical solutions," said Dr Cath Hill. "These can be really simple steps that make a huge difference to people's lives. This commitment to actionable change has been at the heart of Bee The Difference from the very start."
Natasha Sandland, Virtual School Headteacher for Sefton, said: "This project has already proved extremely valuable to Sefton Council. Since the first workshop we have implemented an innovative student passport system in local schools. This records adjustments for children affected by the Southport incident and ensures they don't have to retell their story as they transition through their education."
Hiliary Jenkins, Head of Social Impact and Community Engagement at IKEA, said: "We are proud to have supported this powerful project from the beginning, which is already bringing about meaningful, long-term change. Through our support for the National Emergencies Trust, our focus is on strengthening community resilience and ensuring that these insights lead to better outcomes for young people in the future."
Bee The Difference (BTD) began as a research collaboration between the National Emergencies Trust, Lancaster University and young survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
Young people with lived experience of the attack co-designed research to understand what support helped, what harmed, and what was missing in the aftermath of traumatic events.
Since its publication in 2023, the Bee The Difference Report findings have informed national and international conversations on trauma-informed practice, influenced policy recommendations, and supported responses to subsequent incidents, including the 2024 Southport attack.
This latest research project builds on that work by focusing specifically on schools as critical environments for recovery, safety and long-term support. Further stages of the research are planned, encompassing educators from wider surrounding areas in the North West. The focus will be on exploring the value lived experience can bring to young people affected by traumatic events.
