Babies and children need to feel safe, protected and nurtured by their caregivers so that they can gradually make sense of the world around them. When this essential and secure early relationship is missing, absent or broken for periods of time the child's attachment needs are not met, which leads to difficulties socially, behaviourally or emotionally. Sometimes this early relationship is missing, absent or broken for periods of time, perhaps because: there is a traumatic event that affects a child's continuity of experience the caregiver cannot meet the child's needs, for whatever reason. Understanding Why describes behaviours and feelings that are common among many children and young people who have experienced such attachment difficulties. Written for teachers, teaching assistants, lecturers, school nurses, education support staff for looked after and vulnerable children, foster and other carers, residential child care workers, and parents of children and young people, it will help: teachers and others in education settings recognise attachment difficulties and consider how to help a child or young person achieve their full potential parents, carers and others with care responsibilities recognise attachment needs and to work together with schools to support the child or young person's successful learning.