Trauma-Informed Safeguarding Practice

About Course

This course provides learners with a practical, trauma-informed approach to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk. It explores how trauma impacts behaviour, decision-making, communication, engagement, and risk. Learners will develop skills to ensure safeguarding responses are empathetic, safe, and effective.

Define trauma and explain its impact on the brain, body, and behaviour.
Recognise trauma indicators, including “hidden” or masked presentations.
Apply trauma-informed principles to safeguarding practice.
Communicate with traumatised individuals safely and sensitively.
Identify re-traumatisation risks within professional systems.
Use trauma-informed risk assessment and defensible decision-making.
Respond appropriately to trauma-linked disclosures or safeguarding concerns.
Record, report, and escalate trauma-related safeguarding issues effectively.

Course Content

Module 1 — Understanding Trauma
What is trauma? Types of trauma: single-incident, chronic, complex, developmental, intergenerational Trauma vs. stress How trauma affects the brain (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) Behaviour as communication Short video: “The Brain Under Stress” (animation clip recommended)

What is trauma?
Types of trauma: single-incident, chronic, complex, developmental, intergenerational
Trauma vs. Stress
How trauma affects the brain (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)
Behaviour as communication
Short video: “The Brain Under Stress”
01:53
Quick Check: Match Symptoms to Trauma Responses
Reflective Task: What Might Be Happening Internally?

Module 2 — Trauma and Behaviour in Safeguarding
Why traumatised children and adults may appear challenging or resistant Links between trauma, exploitation, avoidance, and risk-taking Trauma triggers and sensory overload Shame, fear, and mistrust in engagement

Module 3 — Principles of Trauma-Informed Practice
The 6 principles: Safety Trustworthiness & Transparency Choice Collaboration Empowerment Cultural, Gender & Lived-Experience SensitivityImplementing these in safeguarding conversations Avoiding power-based interactions Professional curiosity through a trauma lens

Module 4 — Communication with Traumatised Individuals
Do’s and don’ts of trauma-informed communication Using curiosity without interrogation De-escalation and grounding techniques Managing emotional distress safely What NOT to say: language that blames, minimises, or triggers

Module 5 — Trauma, Safeguarding & Re-traumatisation
How systems unintentionally re-traumatise people Barriers created by rigid processes, deadlines, and risk assessments Trauma-informed risk evaluation Working with multi-agency partners who may not be trauma-informed Case escalation & defensible decision-making

Module 6 — Responding to Trauma-Linked Safeguarding Concerns
How trauma affects disclosure Indicators of exploitation, grooming, coercion Trauma-informed safeguarding pathways Trauma-sensitive recording & reporting Duty to intervene & escalate Building safety plans that consider trauma

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About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

What is trauma?

Types of trauma: single-incident, chronic, complex, developmental, intergenerational

Trauma vs. Stress

How trauma affects the brain (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)

Behaviour as communication

Short video: “The Brain Under Stress”

Quick Check: Match Symptoms to Trauma Responses

Reflective Task: What Might Be Happening Internally?

Module 2 — Trauma and Behaviour in Safeguarding Why traumatised children and adults may appear challenging or resistant Links between trauma, exploitation, avoidance, and risk-taking Trauma triggers and sensory overload Shame, fear, and mistrust in engagement

Why traumatised children and adults may appear challenging or resistant

Links between trauma, exploitation, avoidance, and risk-taking

Trauma triggers and sensory overload

Shame, fear, and mistrust in engagement

Micro-Case Study

Knowledge Check – Module 2: Trauma and Behaviour in Safeguarding

The 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Practice

Implementing these in safeguarding conversations

Avoiding power-based interactions

Professional curiosity through a trauma lens

Module 4 — Communication with Traumatised Individuals Do’s and don’ts of trauma-informed communication Using curiosity without interrogation De-escalation and grounding techniques Managing emotional distress safely What NOT to say: language that blames, minimises, or triggers

Do’s and don’ts of trauma-informed communication

Using curiosity without interrogation

De-escalation and grounding techniques

Managing emotional distress safely

What NOT to say: language that blames, minimises, or triggers

Scenario Activity

Scenario Activity – Yes/No Questions

How systems unintentionally re-traumatise people

Barriers Created by Rigid Processes, Deadlines, and Risk Assessments

Trauma-informed risk evaluation

Working with multi-agency partners who may not be trauma-informed

Case escalation & defensible decision-making

Reflective Exercise – Trauma-Informed Safeguarding

Module 6 — Responding to Trauma-Linked Safeguarding Concerns How trauma affects disclosure Indicators of exploitation, grooming, coercion Trauma-informed safeguarding pathways Trauma-sensitive recording & reporting Duty to intervene & escalate Building safety plans that consider trauma

How trauma affects disclosure

Indicators of exploitation, grooming, coercion

Trauma-informed safeguarding pathways

Trauma-sensitive recording & reporting

Duty to intervene & escalate

Building safety plans that consider trauma

Case Study

Final Assessment Quiz – Trauma-Informed Safeguarding Practice

Earn a certificate

Student Ratings & Reviews

Module 2 — Trauma and Behaviour in Safeguarding
Why traumatised children and adults may appear challenging or resistant Links between trauma, exploitation, avoidance, and risk-taking Trauma triggers and sensory overload Shame, fear, and mistrust in engagement

Module 4 — Communication with Traumatised Individuals
Do’s and don’ts of trauma-informed communication Using curiosity without interrogation De-escalation and grounding techniques Managing emotional distress safely What NOT to say: language that blames, minimises, or triggers

Module 6 — Responding to Trauma-Linked Safeguarding Concerns
How trauma affects disclosure Indicators of exploitation, grooming, coercion Trauma-informed safeguarding pathways Trauma-sensitive recording & reporting Duty to intervene & escalate Building safety plans that consider trauma