Resource Spotlight: Anna Freud

As a Stronger Practice Hub, we consistently are looking out for resources that highlight and assist Early Years Practitioners.

Anna Freud, a leading mental health charity dedicated to children and families, has been at the forefront of pioneering mental health care for over seven decades. 

They work in collaboration with children and young people, their families and communities and mental health professionals to transform children and families’ mental health. Their commitment revolves around envisioning a world where every child and young person can reach their maximum potential. 

They strive for a reality where these individuals and their families receive tailor-made support, influenced by their input, available when needed, and precisely meeting their emotional and mental health requirements.

Their approach entails collaborating with communities and professionals to amplify support for millions of infants, children, young people, and their families.

This collaboration aims to achieve several goals:

  • Deepen their understanding of children and young people’s mental health.
  • Use evidence to push the boundaries of clinical knowledge leads to improved treatments and interventions.
  • Develop solutions that assist anyone involved in the care or direct work with children and young people.
  • Provide training that fosters the growth of mental health practitioners and researchers, and empowers educators, parents, and caregivers.
  • Establishing partnerships that unite individuals, professionals, and policymakers with a unified objective: creating a better future for children and young people.
  • Their approach also heavily emphasises collaboration, including active involvement with children and young people to devise better solutions.

We believe in evidence-informed practices for all Early Years settings, including those around mental health for everyone within the Early Years provisions. 

Their comprehensive resources cater to various needs for children under five, young people, families and professionals. 

  • For children under five:
    • Insights into common difficulties in the early years.
    • A comprehensive guide to understanding neurodiversity in this age group.
  • For children and young people:
    • Guidance on self-care practices.
    • Information on how to seek and receive support effectively.
  • For families:
    • Self-care strategies specifically designed for parents and caregivers.
    • Support resources for parents and caregivers navigating conflicts or separation.
    • Specialised guidance tailored for adoptive parents, special guardians, kinship carers, and foster carers.
  • For professionals
    • Resources tailored for all Early Year Practitioners aged birth to five
    • Expert advice and instructional videos aimed at nursery staff to enhance their understanding and support capabilities.

To access these invaluable resources and support materials visit the website: https://www.annafreud.org/ 

We also highly recommend receiving their newsletter, you can sign up through the following link.