An Introduction to Psychological Trauma: Children & Young People

Supporting children and young people who have experienced adverse childhood experiences is a reality for many of us working in education, social care, healthcare and the youth justice system. This includes foster carers and people involved in charity and voluntary work.

It is vital that staff have an understanding and shared language for trauma and how it can impact on children and young people, reducing their capacity for relationships and learning, and sometimes presenting in behaviours of concern. We also need to be aware of trauma that exists among our colleagues from adverse experiences as children and/or adults.

An understanding and shared language for psychological trauma provides a baseline for everyone exposed to the risk of trauma in their role, and/or who interacts with children and young people who may have suffered trauma.

On completion of this programme learners will be able to:

• Describe the key types of psychological trauma and their causes
• Identify adverse childhood experiences and their potential impact on development
• Recognise how unresolved trauma for children and young people can affect their physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing
• Recognise how trauma can affect an individual’s capacity for relationships and contribute to poor health and quality of life outcomes
• Identify how trauma can reduce a child’s capacity for relationships and learning, and may be a cause of behaviours of concern, risk taking and conflict with others
• Identify risks with re-traumatisation and the importance of building resilience
• Recognise how our relationships and environments influence resilience and recovery from trauma, and how we can help ourselves, our colleagues and children in our care
• Explore the TAG Trauma Calm, Connect, Communicate Model and how it can help build connection and support resilience and recovery

Psychological trauma frameworks are consistent in recommending everyone is ‘Trauma Aware’ and this highly engaging, top-rated eLearning provides organisations with a pragmatic, cost-effective means to achieve this baseline.

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Very informative, I learnt a lot regarding trauma-influenced behaviour with children and young people.

‍Paediatric Education Lead - RUHB NHS Foundation Trust Five stars.