Model for whole school development of a trauma-informed approach

Becoming a trauma informed school requires a commitment to culture change and ongoing policy and practice development, alongside training and a CPD programme.

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This should be used alongside the Development Plan template.

Introduction and rationale

 Positive approaches to the management of behaviour requires that schools/ colleges become Trauma Informed adopting a ‘Me with You’ approach, which means that they recognise relationships should be maintained at all times. They know that discipline is to teach rather than punish.

 Becoming a trauma informed school requires a commitment to culture change and ongoing policy and practice development, alongside training and a CPD programme. It is not possible to achieve through a one off training session.

 Schools becoming trauma informed commit to being fully trauma informed and work to embed practice in a top down, bottom up development programme. In house trauma champions are identified in school to spearhead culture change within their organisations and ensure sustainability of changes/ developments. An example of how this is achieved is as follows:

  1.  Senior leaders complete a Trauma Informed audit and plan a school response.
  2.  All staff teams in schools are trained on basic awareness of behaviour and Trauma Informed responses. 
  3.  The school community agree a whole school policy, responding to pupil and parent voice as well as staff voice stating the principles and practice of behaviour management through positive relationships.
  4.  School based trauma leads implement supervision/ reflective practice and inform culture change through relationships/ behaviour policy and kind/ trauma informed language for staff.

Key points on trauma-informed approach:

Trauma-Informed Approach: Schools need to adopt a trauma-informed approach, focusing on maintaining relationships and teaching rather than punishing.

Commitment and Training: Becoming trauma-informed requires a commitment to culture change, ongoing policy development, and continuous training.

Implementation Model: Schools should conduct audits, plan responses, train staff, and develop policies that incorporate trauma-informed principles.

Support and Resources: Schools receive support through training, workshops, resources, and coaching to implement trauma-informed practices effectively.

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Trauma-informed toolkit

Practical resources and information about building trauma-informed practice in education settings.

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