CARE Practice Insight Sessions – Trauma Informed Care

We are pleased to invite you to continue your CARE training journey with a new series of CARE Practice Insight Sessions, focused on deepening your understanding of trauma-informed care. These sessions are designed to offer practical tools and reflective insights that support your vital role as a foster carer.

A CARE Practice Insight Session is a focused, interactive learning opportunity that explores key principles and real-world applications of trauma-informed care. By participating, you’ll gain knowledge and strategies that can enhance your ability to create safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for the children and young people in your care.

The following sessions will cover a range of topics to help you recognise and respond to trauma, care for yourself in the process, and build trauma-informed spaces at home and within your support networks.

All sessions will be held online through Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with a calendar invite and link to join after RSVPs are received.

Please RSVP by sending an email to OOHC.Programs@challengecommunity.org.au.

1. Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care

Date: 29th April 2025
Time: 10am-11am
Facilitator: Ebonnie Byers

Objective: Provide a foundational understanding of trauma and its pervasive impact.

Key Topics:

• Definition and types of trauma
• Prevalence and effects of trauma on individuals and communities
• Core principles of trauma-informed care

Overview: This introductory session provides participants with a foundational understanding of trauma and its far-reaching impact on individuals and communities. The session begins by exploring the definition and various types of trauma, helping participants recognise that trauma can take many forms and affect children and young people differently. The session then introduces the core principles of trauma-informed care, which serve as a framework for creating safe, supportive, and empowering environments. This session will lay the groundwork for understanding how to respond to trauma with compassion, awareness, and respect in both personal and professional settings.

2. Recognising and Responding to Trauma

Date: 6th May 2025
Time: 10am-11am
Facilitator: Brendan Rae

Objective: Equip participants with skills to identify signs of trauma and respond appropriately.

Key Topics:

• Behavioural and emotional indicators of trauma
• Pain- based behaviours
• Effective communication strategies
• De-escalation techniques

Overview: This session aims to equip participants with the practical skills needed to identify signs of trauma and respond in a supportive and informed manner. Participants will explore common behavioural and emotional indicators of trauma, gaining insight into how trauma can manifest in children and adults through both subtle and overt actions. The session will introduce the concept of pain-based behaviours; such as aggression, withdrawal, and defiance – as expressions of underlying distress, rather than intentional misbehaviour. In addition, participants will learn effective communication strategies that promote safety, trust, and connection.

3. Self-Care and Vicarious Trauma

Date: 14th May 2025
Time: 10am-11am
Facilitator: Renae Wye

Objective: Address the impact of working with trauma survivors on professionals and carers.

Key Topics:

• Understanding vicarious trauma and burnout
• Developing personal self-care plans
• Organisational strategies to support your well-being

Overview: This session focuses on the emotional and psychological impact of working closely with trauma survivors, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and self-care for professionals and carers. Participants will explore the concepts of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout, gaining insight into how ongoing exposure to others’ trauma can affect their own well-being. The session will emphasise the need for developing personal self-care plans that are practical, sustainable, and tailored to individual needs. This session encourages a proactive, supportive approach to maintaining resilience and emotional health in trauma-informed practice for those part of the child or young person’s care team.

 4. Building a Trauma-Informed Environment

Date: 29th May 2025
Time: 10am-11am
Facilitator: Brendan Rae

Objective: Guide participants in creating safe and supportive spaces.

Key Topics:

• Environmental modifications to enhance safety
• Our approach to trauma-informed practice
• Training and support mechanisms

Overview: This session guides participants in understanding how to intentionally create environments that foster safety, trust, and healing for individuals who have experienced trauma. Emphasis is placed on the importance of physical and emotional safety, beginning with practical environmental modifications – such as lighting, layout, noise levels, and visual cues that can reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. Participants will be equipped with strategies to help create inclusive, nurturing spaces where individuals feel respected, understood, and supported.