Communities and Justice

Factsheets

Being a detective

What is trauma

The majority of kids in out-of-home care have experienced trauma. Knowing about trauma, its impact  and how to respond will help you provide effective support.

What is trauma (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Helping kids to heal

Building resilience 

Resilience is the ability to overcome challenges or ‘bounce back’ from hard times. Building resilience helps kids to recover from trauma.

Building resilience (carer) (PDF, 3.1 MB)

Building resilience (professional) (PDF, 3.4 MB)

Child support team

The child support team works together to understand why kids respond the way they do, and develop appropriate support strategies.

Child support team (PDF, 2.0 MB)

The importance of connection 

Building trust with kids who have experienced trauma

It's important to build trust with kids who have experienced trauma.  Healing from trauma occurs in loving, safe and supportive environments.

Building trust with kids who have experienced trauma (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Attachment and trauma

Building positive attachments can help kids to feel safe and heal from trauma. 

Attachment and trauma (PDF, 2.7 MB)

Supporting trauma recovery for kids in out-of-home care

The majority of kids in out-of-home care have experienced complex trauma. The adults in their lives play an important role in supporting healing.

Supporting trauma recovery for kids in out-of-home care (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Responding to trauma based behaviour

Four stages of trauma

Trauma based behaviours can be understood in four stages. Being aware of these stages will help you to respond appropriately.

Four stages of trauma (PDF, 1.4 MB)

Staying calm and neutral

When kids are displaying big emotions and behaviours, it's important for adults to stay calm and neutral.

Staying calm and neutral (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Trauma responses - what can I do?

Even when kids are going well, something may trigger a Heating Up or Boiling response. Here are some tips on turning the heat down safely.

Trauma responses - what can I do? (carer) (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Your response matters

It’s important to choose the right strategies when responding to kids in out-of-home care.

Your response matters (PDF, 2.0 MB)

 

 

 

Last updated:

17 Jan 2024