Families, Sector

BCF Embedding trauma informed care project report 

Written byAlex Lally
Published on02 Oct, 2024
Title Page of the Embedding trauma informed care report with and image of children running in the background.

Summary

Better Chances Forum (BCF) is pleased to share the Embedding trauma informed care and practice project report. This project is a culmination of collaboration and practice wisdom, gathered from Better Chances hosted events and consultations between 2019 and 2024.  

Better Chances Forum (BCF) is pleased to share the Embedding trauma informed care and practice project report. This project is a culmination of collaboration and practice wisdom, gathered from Better Chances hosted events and consultations between 2019 and 2024.  

Since 2019, The Better Chances Forum (BCF) has been building on sector investment in trauma-responsive care to support workers and Managers from across Northern NSW and enhance and strengthen their practice. 

In collaboration with BCF participants, strategic guidance from the BCF Leadership Group, and support from key facilitators such as We a-li, Professor Derek Chong, and Lisa Gardiner, BCF has delivered and hosted:

  • reflective practice workshops, on strengthening trauma responsive support  
  • cultural trauma-informed care training  
  • strengthening days for First Nations workers; and 
  • workshops and consultations to identify and share strategies for embedding trauma informed care and practice in early intervention services.  

This report outlines key strengths and approaches that support trauma-informed care and how it is embedded on our practice, along with case studies from BCF members and practical strategies to support our work.  

Themes and topics covered include: 

  • confidence with language 
  • supportive organisational systems and processes 
  • valuing relationships and providing consistency with community 
  • cultural practice and somatic work 
  • peer-based workforce 
  • role modelling choice and control 
  • support for workers 
  • physical space, and allowing time; and 
  • engagement strategies and approaches that support trauma-informed care. 

Better Chances Forum members have worked together to set up the forum to be a place for workers to focus on connecting through practice reflection. Together members create space for reflection and building practice, underpinned by the principles of trauma informed care. 

The embedding trauma-informed care and practice report reflects this collaboration; a practical resource to share with members and others, so that we can continue to learn, and strengthen our practice to support better chances among the children and young people we work with and for. 

Download report >>

Coming up Better Chances Forum 

Lisa Gardiner will be guest presenting three BCF workshops across 2024/25 with foundations in trauma-informed care and attachment, with the first confirmed for October 16. You can register here. Please see Lisa’s presentation from our June 2024 session. 

We A-li will be facilitating a Strengthening Day on November 29 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Support and Early Childhood workers in the Northern Rivers. You can register here.