How to support children affected by trauma

How to support children affected by trauma

Sue Penna is the Co-Founder of Rock Pool Life C.I.C and UK pioneer of ‘trauma-informed training’. She writes about how we can spot the signs of developmental trauma and provides practical suggestions for how we can improve resilience amongst young children.

A trauma-informed approach to care or serviceprovision is one that considers how traumaticexperiences may impact the person being supported.If social care providers approach their care or serviceprovision with an understanding that trauma caninfluence a person’s behaviour, then the way a situationis handled, or care is offered is more likely to result inpositive outcomes.

Statistics show that almost half of children living in theUK will be affected by a traumatic experience in theirchildhood. Therefore, a trauma-informed approach totheir support is even more relevant.

Young people who experience, what we can refer toas, developmental trauma are those growing up withemotionally absent parents due to drugs, alcohol ormental health problems. Their parents may be in prison,or they may not have enough to eat or safe housing.Maybe there is domestic violence in the home, or theyhave been sexually abused.

Young people targeted by gangs.

Those affected by development trauma are at risk ofexploitation and in some communities, are targetedby gang leaders. Offers of friendships, a ‘safe ‘ placeand the opportunity to earn money is enough to entrapvulnerable young people into a lifestyle they don’t want.

These children lack a basic attachment with a significantadult. However, they may have an anxious attachmentwhich means they feel chronically unsafe and scared.

They appear as highly anxious, easily frightened andjumpy. They may have poor concentration and no realfriendship groups, meaning they are disorganised andunsettled. Responses are likely to be quick and volatile,resulting in anger or tears.

These traits may lead to them to struggle at school andface exclusion, which can impact their developmenteven further as they are not receiving the supportthey need. Gang leaders recognise this vulnerability,which means these children can be easily targeted andpersuaded to join them.

By understanding and being able to spot the signs ofdevelopmental trauma, social care teams can supportchildren at a time when they are vulnerable to gangexploitation.

Improving the resilience of children with developmental trauma.

Focusing on building resilience will help children whenthey are faced with difficult life situations. Resilienceis the ability to return to being healthy and hopefulmindset after bad things happen. Sometimes resilienceis about survival; the more dangers and difficulties weface, the more we need to bounce back each time.

Managing resilience is important. If we face too muchadversity and have inadequate protection, we can growup turning to coping strategies that, whilst helpful in theshort term, are not as beneficial over time. Resilience isan important skill for everyone to develop, and for thosethat have experienced trauma, it can be invaluable.

Social care teams can help build resilience in bothchildren and their parents by supporting the family unitthrough traumatic experiences.

Here are a few practical ways that social workers canprovide effective support:

1. Make connections.

Encourage children and their parents to make friendswith other families to create community connections.

2. Teach children self-care.

Highlight the importance of families making time toeat properly, exercise and rest. Explain to parents howcaring for themselves and having fun will help childrenstay balanced and better able to deal with stress.

3. Move toward your goals.

Teach children to set reasonable goals and movetowards them. Moving towards that goal - even if it’s atiny step - and receiving praise for doing so will focusthem on what they have accomplished rather thanon what they haven’t. Children who are criticised caninternalise it and develop low self-esteem.

4. Nurture a positive self-view and how to manage emotions.

Identify ways they have successfully handled hardshipsin the past and help them understand these pastchallenges build strength to handle future challenges.

5. Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook.

Even when a child is facing very painful events, helpthem look at the situation in a broader context and keepa long-term perspective, if they are old enough to do so.Help them see that there is a future beyond the currentsituation. An optimistic and positive outlook enableschildren to see the good in life, and helps them to keepgoing, even in the hardest times.

6. Look for opportunities of selfdiscovery and problem solving.

Tough times are often when children learn the mostabout themselves. Help children take a look at howwhatever they are facing, can teach resilience skillssuch as patience, sharing, tolerance and managingemotions. This means not always providing the answers.

Find out more.

Rock Pool Life C.I.C develops and delivers trainingprogrammes with a trauma-informed approach.

You can find out all about their ‘Exploited Childrenand Gangs’ training workshop by simply visiting theirwebsite www.rockpool.life. Alternatively, you can emailadmin@rockpool.life or telephone 01803 678070