Childhood Mental Health and Trauma Informed Approaches

Overview

This course provides a clear, practical introduction to children’s mental health and wellbeing. It explores how trauma, adversity, and social inequalities impact development and behaviour, while building understanding of trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approaches. Delegates will gain confidence in creating safe, supportive environments and helping children and families develop protective factors and sustainable coping strategies.

Who is Childhood Mental Health and Trauma Informed Approaches aimed at?

Those who work with children

Course Length

1 day

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, delagtes will be able to:-

• Understand the conditions that enable children to thrive.
• Explain common childhood mental health difficulties (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD and attachment difficulties) and how they may present.
• Identify psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to mental health challenges in children, including the intersection of mental health with poverty, disability, identity and social inequalities
• Describe how trauma, neglect, abuse, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence brain development, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
• Understand trauma informed approaches,  including the fundamentals of building safety and trust.
• Explore how to create safe, predicable and supportive environments.
• Identify and strengthen protective factors, including supportive relationships, community resources, and the child’s own strengths and agency.
• Explore how to support children and families to identify and develop sustainable coping strategies.