From Behaviour to Belonging: A Trauma-Informed Approach for Children, Families, and Education Settings

About This Event

This one-day open access training offers a practical introduction to trauma-informed practice for those working with children, young people, and families.

The day explores how experiences of stress and adversity shape behaviour, relationships, and learning, and what this means for professionals across education and support services. Drawing on the TISUK framework, participants will develop an understanding of the neuroscience of trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the core principles of Protect, Relate, Regulate, Reflect.

Alongside key theory, the training focuses on real-world application. Participants will learn relational approaches such as PACE and co-regulation, building confidence in responding to distress and supporting emotional wellbeing.

The session is practical, reflective, and grounded in everyday interactions—supporting a shift from managing behaviour to creating environments where children feel safe, connected, and able to learn.

The content of this training includes:

• The neuroscience and psychology of child and adolescent mental health and mental ill-health: what all staff need to know

• Model One: ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) study and Protective Factors in schools that change children’s lives.

• Model Two: Professor Jaak Panksepp’s model of mental health, mental ill-health and theory of change

• Model Three: PROTECT/RELATE/REGULATE/REFLECT and how this informs school policy,procedures and school culture and ethos

• The role of emotionally available adults in schools: Benefit to staff and students

• ‘I wish my teacher knew’ They want to tell us. Are we ready to hear?

• Key skills in responding to and understanding challenging and/or trauma triggered behaviour.

This course is officially CPD accredited by the CPD Standards Office, with 6 hours of CPD awarded upon completion.

About Trauma Informed Schools & Communities UK (TISCUK)

Trauma Informed Schools & Communities UK is a national organisation dedicated to supporting schools, colleges, and services to become trauma-informed and mentally healthy environments.

Their work is grounded in a strong evidence base, bringing together neuroscience, psychology, and education to help professionals understand how adversity and stress impact children’s development, behaviour, and learning. They provide accredited training and consultancy to embed whole-system change across settings.

TISUK’s approach focuses on:

• Building relational cultures where children feel safe, understood, and supported
• Equipping staff with practical strategies to respond to distress and behaviour through a trauma-informed lens
• Supporting long-term, sustainable change using the framework Protect, Relate, Regulate, Reflect

They work across education, health, and community sectors, aiming to improve outcomes for children, young people, and the adults who support them.

About the Trainer

Siobhán Garrett is an experienced educational consultant, trainer, and former headteacher with over 25 years’ experience across primary, secondary, and specialist settings. She is a licensed trainer with Trauma Informed Schools UK, delivering training and consultancy across Greater London, the South East, of Engalnd, Ireland and internationally.

Siobhán specialises in trauma-informed, relational practice, supporting schools, colleges, and organisations to improve behaviour, wellbeing, and belonging through sustainable cultural change. Her work bridges research and practice, drawing on neuroscience, attachment theory, and the Latent Vulnerability framework.

Siobhán is known for her engaging, practical delivery style - combining evidence, lived experience, and real-world strategies that staff can apply immediately in their settings.