INSET: Embedding Trauma-Informed Practice Across Your School

Creating a trauma-informed school is about far more than understanding the theory behind adverse childhood experiences and emotional regulation. It requires a whole-school commitment to building a culture where pupils feel safe, valued, understood and ready to learn.

This practical and highly engaging INSET day explores how schools can move beyond awareness and embed trauma-informed approaches throughout leadership, teaching, behaviour systems, safeguarding, attendance, SEND provision and pastoral care. Staff will develop a deeper understanding of how trauma and adversity can affect children and young people, whilst gaining practical strategies that can be implemented immediately within classrooms, departments and across the wider school community.

The training is designed to help schools develop consistent approaches that improve relationships, strengthen inclusion, reduce barriers to learning and create an environment where both pupils and staff can thrive.

Trauma-Informed Practice CPD Course Overview

Many schools are seeing increasing numbers of pupils presenting with social, emotional and mental health needs, anxiety, dysregulation, attendance challenges and complex family circumstances. Whilst staff often receive training on trauma and attachment, many schools find it difficult to translate understanding into sustainable whole-school practice.

This INSET explores what trauma-informed practice looks like in reality and how it can be successfully embedded within the systems, structures and culture of the school. Staff will examine the impact of trauma on child development, behaviour, learning and relationships, whilst exploring practical approaches that maintain high standards and expectations alongside appropriate support and understanding.

The day considers how trauma-informed approaches align with safeguarding responsibilities, SEND duties, attendance strategies and inclusive school improvement priorities. Through practical examples, research-informed approaches and opportunities for reflection, delegates will develop a clear understanding of the changes that can have the greatest impact on pupil outcomes and staff effectiveness.

Suitable For

This training can be delivered to:

• Whole-school teaching and support staff
• Senior Leadership Teams
• SEND teams
• Pastoral teams
• DSLs and safeguarding teams
• Behaviour and attendance leads
• Governors and trustees
• MAT central teams
• Alternative provision settings

Trauma-Informed Practice INSET Outline

Understanding Trauma and Adversity

Staff will explore how trauma, adversity and attachment experiences can affect children’s development and educational experiences. The session examines the latest research regarding the impact of adverse experiences on brain development, emotional regulation and learning.

Areas explored include:

• Understanding trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• The impact of trauma on developing brains
• Emotional regulation and executive functioning
• Trauma, memory and learning
• Attachment and relationships
• Recognising indicators of trauma within school settings
• Understanding behaviour as a form of communication
• Identifying potential barriers to engagement and attendance

Trauma, Behaviour and Relationships

This session examines how trauma-informed schools move beyond traditional behaviour management approaches towards relational and restorative practices.

Areas explored include:

• Why some behaviour systems unintentionally escalate difficulties
• Building psychologically safe learning environments
• The importance of connection before correction
• Developing relational approaches to behaviour
• Co-regulation strategies for staff
• Supporting pupils experiencing dysregulation
• Restorative conversations and relationship repair
• Balancing compassion with high expectations
• Practical classroom strategies that support vulnerable learners

Creating a Trauma-Informed School Culture

A trauma-informed approach must extend beyond individual staff members and become embedded within the culture and values of the school.

Areas explored include:

• The characteristics of trauma-informed schools
• Leadership’s role in driving cultural change
• Embedding trauma-informed values into everyday practice
• Staff wellbeing and emotionally sustainable schools
• Creating environments that promote safety and belonging
• Building consistency across teams and departments
• Strengthening inclusion and reducing exclusion
• Developing a shared language and understanding across the workforce

Trauma-Informed Safeguarding, Attendance and SEND

This practical session considers how trauma-informed approaches support statutory responsibilities and improve outcomes for vulnerable pupils.

Areas explored include:

• Trauma and safeguarding practice
• Supporting children experiencing adversity and vulnerability
• Understanding attendance through a trauma-informed lens
• Links between trauma and persistent absence
• Supporting pupils with SEND and SEMH needs
• Working effectively with families
• Multi-agency collaboration
• Creating effective pathways of support

Policy Review and Implementation Planning

Schools often understand the principles of trauma-informed practice but struggle to embed them systematically. This final session focuses on practical implementation and long-term sustainability.

Areas explored include:

• Auditing current practice
• Reviewing behaviour, attendance and safeguarding policies
• Identifying strengths and priorities for development
• Measuring impact and evaluating progress
• Staff training and ongoing professional development
• Developing an implementation roadmap
• Building sustainable systems and accountability
• Producing a practical action plan for school improvement

Intended Outcomes

Following this INSET, staff will:

• Understand how trauma and adversity affect learning and behaviour.
• Recognise signs that trauma may be influencing pupil engagement.
• Develop greater confidence in responding to dysregulation.
• Strengthen relational approaches across classrooms and pastoral systems.
• Understand the links between trauma-informed practice, safeguarding and SEND.
• Explore practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.
• Evaluate current school systems through a trauma-informed lens.
• Contribute to a more inclusive and supportive school culture.
• Support improved attendance, behaviour and wellbeing outcomes.
• Develop clear priorities for ongoing school improvement.

Available as:

✅ Whole-school INSET day
✅ Twilight training session
✅ Leadership workshop
✅ Multi-school trust conference session
✅ Bespoke school improvement programme

To discuss booking this course for your school, please contact JMC Education.

enquiries@jmcinset.com