A Whole School Approach to Trauma-Informed Practice explores how educational settings can move beyond trauma-awareness to confidently embedding trauma-informed practice across the whole school system. This practical and strategic session will support SEND leaders, teachers, and senior teams to understand what effective trauma-informed practice looks like in everyday school life. The presentation focuses on implementing sustainable, evidence-informed approaches that align with existing systems, policies, and priorities - without adding to staff workload. Attendees will gain clarity on how to create consistent, psychologically safe environments, strengthen staff confidence, and embed trauma-informed practice in a way that supports both pupil wellbeing and long-term cultural change.

Target audience: SENCO’s / Leaders, Practitioners / Support staff, Local Authority Staff

Target Key Stage: All Key Stages

Settings Targeted: School, Alternative provision
SEND Focus: Mental Health, ADHD, Autism
Related Policy: SEND Code of Practice 2015: 0 – 25; KCSiE
Audience Stage: Level 1-3
Learning outcomes: 

• Distinguish between trauma-aware and trauma-informed practice, and understand what a whole-school, system-embedded approach looks like in practice.
• Identify practical, sustainable strategies for embedding trauma-informed practice across policies, culture, and daily routines without increasing staff workload.
• Apply a whole-school framework to strengthen psychological safety, staff confidence, and inclusive practice that better supports students