Developmental (or relational) trauma has a significant impact on the developing brain, children’s behaviour and how they build secure attachment. It can result in children experiencing developmental delays and significant difficulties regulating their emotions, adapting their behaviour and being attuned to social exchanges. 

This can lead to a fundamental challenge for children to experience safety and engage in relational exchanges that support them. The widespread impact of these experiences of trauma has profound implications for how families, carers, practitioners, programs, and systems support children. 

These children need adults and systems which understand the impact of their trauma experiences on their development, functioning and attachment styles. With understanding, adults and systems can be more effective in the support they provide children to heal. 

This workshop provides participants with an opportunity to review the foundational knowledge of complex developmental trauma and a conceptual trauma responsive practice framework, aligned with their understanding of attachment theory. This framework will then be used to explore specific strategies that participants can use in their own practice. 

Learning Outcomes 
By the end of this session, you will: 

• Be able to describe the impact of trauma on different styles of attachment 
• Have a toolbox of strategies for working with trauma-impacted young people, aligned with their attachment styles, and 
• Feel confident in your ability to build positive relationships with trauma-impacted and insecurely attached young people.