Trauma can fall into two categories: simple or complex.
Simple trauma may occur from a single incident that may have been life-threatening or had the potential to cause serious injury.
Complex trauma may arise from multiple incidents that have a long term and negative impact on a person's life. The concept of trauma-informed practice is creating a system within an educational setting that is sensitive to and supportive of the needs of someone that is experiencing trauma.
This entails:
establishing the impact of trauma
recognising the signs of trauma within students
establishing a recovery program
implementing training and policies regarding trauma and recovery aid.
Any kind of setting can implement a trauma-informed approach, but it is especially important to adopt this method when supporting students in schools, as recognising and managing trauma in children will benefit their education. It will also increase learning opportunities whilst facilitating healing.
Recognising and managing trauma is vital as it is likely to affect the child’s mood and emotions which will negatively impact their behaviours. Effective intervention and support can help to rectify behaviours and reach positive outcomes for young people.
Key elements
Cultural competence
Collaboration
Having adequate policies and training to ensure cultural sensitivity throughout the organisation.
Working in partnership with families and relevant professionals to seek positive outcomes for individuals.
Trauma competence
Physical and emotional safety
Being aware of and trained in trauma and the effects it may have on sufferers.
Creating an environment free from threat or danger to enable recovery.
Trust and transparency
Empowerment
Creating transparent and trusting relationships with trauma sufferers and forging positive relationships of support.
Effective enablers of empowering individuals during the recovery process and reducing the need for re-traumatisation.
As support staff, you are required to recognise students’ behaviour and help the teacher identify if trauma has occurred.
Trauma-informed practise provides a framework for school staff to understand, recognise and respond effectively to the impact of trauma on students. This will be part of positive behaviour support in the school.
Group 1 - What is trauma and how prevalent is it in NSW schools?
Group 2 - How do we recognise student behaviours that are influenced by trauma and what is trauma-informed practice?
Group 3 - Strategies to support students impacted by trauma
Group 3 - The key elements above will guide your reading.
All - make notes from the document to share using jamboard or a poster..