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Supporting Inclusion Through Trauma Informed Practice
Colleagues from the Children and Young People's Trauma Informed Care Programme recently supported an inspiring Inclusion Focus Day in Harrogate, bringing together more than 150 professionals from Education, SEND, School Improvement, Educational Psychology, Adult Learning and Outdoor Education.
The day provided an opportunity for professionals to learn together, reflect on their practice and explore how trauma informed approaches can help create environments where children, young people and adults feel safe, connected, valued and able to thrive.
Exploring the ARC Framework
As part of the event, Trauma Informed Care Programme trainer Yvonne delivered a session exploring the ARC Framework – Attachment, Regulation and Competency.
The framework provides a helpful way of thinking about how trauma informed practice can support people through relationships, emotional regulation and the development of skills and confidence.
The session explored how these principles can be applied to create more inclusive and supportive environments for children, young people and adults.
More than understanding trauma
Trauma informed, strengths-based practice is about more than recognising the impact that trauma can have on someone's life.
It is also about:
- Building safe and trusting relationships
- Helping people feel connected and valued
- Promoting resilience
- Empowering people and recognising their strengths
- Creating environments that support people to belong, succeed and thrive
- Supporting the wellbeing and development of the professionals working alongside them
The Inclusion Focus Day highlighted the strong commitment across partner organisations to inclusion, collaboration and relationship-based practice. Through discussion, shared learning and reflection, professionals were able to consider how these approaches can contribute to better outcomes for children, young people and families.
Interested in ARC Training?
The Children and Young People's Trauma Informed Care Programme also offers training to help organisations and professionals develop their understanding of trauma informed practice and the ARC (Attachment, Regulation and Competency) Framework.
The wider training offer has included multi-agency ARC training, training for senior leaders and development of ARC Champions, who can help embed trauma informed approaches within their own organisations. The programme's approach is designed to support organisations in moving from being trauma aware towards becoming trauma informed, including considering how trauma informed principles are reflected in organisational culture, policies, procedures and everyday practice.
This could be particularly useful for VCSE organisations working directly or regularly with children, young people and families who want to strengthen their approach to creating safe, inclusive and relationship-based services.
Find out more about the Children and Young People's Trauma Informed Care Programme and its training opportunities:
Why does this matter to the VCSE sector?
For voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, trauma informed practice can be particularly relevant.
VCSE organisations often build trusted relationships with people over time and may support individuals and families who have experienced adversity, exclusion or difficult life experiences.
Thinking about how our services, activities and interactions are experienced by the people we support can help us create environments that feel welcoming, inclusive and safe.
It doesn't necessarily mean becoming a specialist trauma service. Instead, it can mean considering the principles of trauma informed practice within everyday organisational culture, communication, volunteering and service delivery.
Learning together and creating change
The event demonstrated the value of bringing professionals together to share experiences and reflect on how different services and organisations can contribute to more compassionate and inclusive practice.
A sincere thank you was shared with Education & Inclusion colleagues, the Educational Psychologists who supported the session and everyone who contributed so openly throughout the day.
By working together and continuing to develop trauma informed, strengths-based approaches, we can help create environments where children, young people, families and colleagues have the opportunity to belong, succeed and thrive.
