Fixing School Systems: From Trauma to True Inclusion

How can schools go beyond buzzwords and box-ticking exercises to truly support mental health, inclusion, and safeguarding? In this insightful episode of the Able to Care podcast, host Andy Baker talks with Dr. Adam McCartney — educational psychologist and national training lead — about how to build school systems that don’t just function, but truly care.

From shifting away from outcome-obsessed models to embedding psychologically informed, trauma-responsive practices, Adam shares his expertise on transforming education into a genuinely nurturing environment. This is a must-listen for parents, teachers, carers, and education leaders seeking meaningful change in how we support children and young people.

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📚 Resources Mentioned

• Dr. Adam McCartney’s website: rmcpsychologicalservices.com

• Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: Dr. Adam McCartney on LinkedIn (search his name directly)

• Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge

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🔑 Three Key Messages

1️⃣ Schools need to shift from a focus on outcomes to a focus on wellbeing, belonging, and psychological safety.
2️⃣ Collaborative, reflective practice — including supervision for teachers — is vital for sustainable systems change.
3️⃣ Parents and schools must build trusting, validating partnerships to improve outcomes for children with additional needs.

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⏰ Episode Chapters

00:00 — Introduction: Moving beyond box-ticking
00:02 — Meet Dr Adam McCartney and his mission
00:06 — Why education needs a nurturing rethink
00:15 — Breaking down trauma-informed and relational practice
00:27 — The challenge of staff roles, collaboration, and defensiveness
00:39 — Building psychologically informed, restorative systems
00:51 — Parental partnerships and advocating for change
00:53 — Final reflections and how to connect with Dr Adam

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🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?

✅ Gain actionable insights on transforming schools beyond buzzwords
✅ Learn practical strategies for trauma-responsive, relational, and psychologically informed systems
✅ Hear a national expert’s take on the future of safeguarding, mental health, and inclusion
✅ Feel inspired to advocate for change in your school, community, or caregiving role

If you’re a teacher, parent, carer, or education leader, this episode will challenge you to think bigger — and act braver — about supporting our young people.

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🔗 Connect with us

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining
📲 LinkedIn: Able Training
📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast
🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk