A journey into trauma-informed care

The first cohort of our new course on trauma-informed care begin their training

This week, the first cohort of our new course, Trauma-informed care: from theory to practice, officially commences its training. 18 months in the making, the 12-week online programme provides frontline professionals with a unique opportunity to explore the rationale and principles of trauma-informed care and implement the approach into their practice to create a more empathetic and supportive environment for trauma-experienced individuals.

Speaking about the importance of this course, Dr Sheena Webb, author and course tutor, stated, “Trauma-informed care is a transformative approach that enables us to better understand and support individuals who have experienced trauma. It’s about providing care that recognises the impact of trauma on a person’s well-being, taking the time to consider and evaluate our interactions between practitioner and survivor. This course is a gateway to making organisations and their services more compassionate and effective.”

Dr. Webb further added, “What sets this course apart is the focus on practical application. It’s not just about theory; it’s about how you can immediately implement trauma-informed care in your day-to-day practice. We encourage participants to reflect on their own work through a trauma-informed lens, which can have a profound impact on the quality of care they provide.”

Participants from a range of sectors will be joining the programme, including mental health practitioners, education professionals, clinicians, care givers and social workers. Each participant brings a unique set of experiences and expertise to the course, fostering a rich learning environment.

Dr. Webb said “The beauty of this course lies in the diversity of our participants. We have professionals joining from a variety of roles, and their collective insights and experiences enrich the discussions and learning. It mirrors the real-world environment, where collaboration and understanding are essential to achieving positive change.”

John Gerrard, Development Project Manager for the course, also emphasised the thoughtfully designed format of the course to support effective learning for participants. He noted, “We understand that professionals have busy schedules and may not be able to attend in-person classes. That’s why we’ve designed this course to be entirely online, making it accessible to participants from around the world and accommodating the diverse needs and schedules of our participants”.

The course has been structured with a balance of interactive online modules, videos, live seminars and expert guidance, whilst a concluding assignment provides an opportunity for participants to get practical feedback on individualised plans for embedding trauma-informed care. On top of this, participants gain a year’s access to our online library and course materials so that they can continue refreshing and revisiting their learning as they implement the approach. All this contributes to a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

John further added, “Our online platform promotes active engagement through discussion forums and group activities. Participants can share their experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. It’s a dynamic and collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and best practices.”