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:
- Senior leaders complete a Trauma Informed audit and plan a school response.
- All staff teams in schools are trained on basic awareness of behaviour and Trauma Informed responses.
- 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.
- 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.