This cohort is now closed. Please ‘register your interest’ to be informed about the next opportunity to take the course.

The next course will run on the following dates:

This course will be delivered remotely using Zoom.

You will need a device with a microphone and camera together with a suitably fast internet connection. Although mobile devices and tablets can be used, we recommend the use of a laptop or desktop PC for the best experience. Some devices provided by employers may have restrictions in place. Please use this Zoom test link to check your set up before booking.

You will be sent the necessary login link about a week before the course start date. Should you have any concerns about the accessibility of remote delivery please contact us to discuss how we can best help you.

The course is divided into four key areas.

1. Trauma, complex trauma and service delivery

This section looks at how our understanding of psychological trauma has evolved over the past century and the implications this has had for survivors. We will consider the interest in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the criticisms and cautions, as well as looking at other evidence linking trauma with psychosocial outcomes. We will explore the argument that services need to evolve their practices to avoid causing further harm, promote engagement and create a safe context for healing and recovery.

We will cover:

• our evolving understanding of trauma and adversity
• the prevalence and impact of adverse life experiences
• a critical review of ACEs
• how complex trauma manifests in our services

2. Trauma-informed care in context

This section will cover the core principles of trauma-informed care and how these relate to the psychological processes described in the previous section. We will consider this whole service approach and how these principles might be applied by different practitioners, organisations and sectors. We will look at the varied way in which trauma-informed care has been interpreted and applied and consider some of the misconceptions emerging in this field.

We will cover:

• the core principles of trauma-informed care
• the rationale for being trauma informed
• promoting culture shift across practitioners and organisations
• various applications of trauma-informed care
• common misconceptions

3. Promoting engagement through trauma awareness

This section will explore some key impacts of trauma that are of particular relevance to frontline practitioners working in any sector. We will look at how these psychological processes impact functioning, clinical presentation and engagement. We will consider the importance of emotional and relational safety across all aspects of service provision.

We will cover:

• trauma’s fundamental impact on mind and body
• emotional regulation and the window of tolerance
• threat focus and the impact on appraisals
• self-protective responses to triggers
• emotional foundations for effective interventions

4. Tools for trauma-informed practitioners

This section further explores how trauma affects communication between professionals and service users. We will also consider how professionals’ own predispositions and unconscious biases can cause blind spots and ruptures in relationships. We will consider how a trauma-informed approach can support practitioners to be responsive and reflective when working with survivors of trauma. We will consider the potential barriers to retaining a trauma-informed stance.

We will cover:

• the importance of communication and connection in creating safety
• supporting emotional regulation
• reframing frustrating behaviours
• looking at our practice through a trauma-informed lens
• recognising our own triggers and biases
• staying trauma informed