Complex Trauma in Context: Supporting Children, Young People and Families, 26 March 2027

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Understand Complex Trauma in Context: Explore how trauma interacts with child and adolescent development, nervous-system regulation, relationships, family life, culture, identity, life circumstances and social conditions, and why understanding these interactions can lead to more effective support.

• Recognise Different Responses to Trauma and Overwhelm: Learn to recognise the many ways children and young people may respond to trauma, stress and loss, including dysregulation, shutdown, withdrawal, behavioural changes, difficulties with learning and relationships, and apparent self-sufficiency.

• Respond to Dysregulation and Shutdown: Develop practical ways to recognise overwhelm and respond in ways that promote safety and regulation, including understanding the importance of regulating ourselves before responding to a distressed child or young person.

• Understand Children Within Families and Relationships: Move beyond viewing the child in isolation. Explore how relationships, family experiences, parenting, changing roles and expectations can shape a young person’s wellbeing, and learn practical ways to build bridges with parents and caregivers.

• Support Children and Families Living Across Cultures: Explore how children, young people and caregivers may adapt to cultural change at different rates while navigating identity, belonging, changing family roles, unfamiliar systems and different cultural expectations.

• Strengthen Cultural Safety and Humility: Consider the impact of racism, exclusion and institutional barriers on safety, trust, participation and wellbeing, and explore how cultural humility can strengthen trauma-informed practice with children, young people and families.

• Identify Strengths, Protective Factors and Practical Responses: Learn to recognise strengths and protective factors alongside difficulties. Use realistic case examples to practise widening the lens, understanding what may be happening and identifying practical responses that are appropriate within your professional role.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Youth workers and case managers

• Teachers, school wellbeing staff and educators

• Counsellors, social workers and psychologists

• Allied health and healthcare professionals

• Child, youth and family support workers

• Refugee, settlement and multicultural service workers

• Community workers and support coordinators

• Anyone working with children, young people and families affected by trauma, adversity or major life transitions

FORMAT AND INCLUSIONS

• Online and in-person delivery

• Facilitated by an experienced trauma-informed practitioner

• Includes interactive activities, real-life scenarios, and skill practice

• Claim 6 CPD points

• Receive a certificate of completion

• Receive a PDF of the workshop slides

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Payment of the registration fee is online by credit card and a receipt/confirmation will be automatically emailed to you. An administration fee of $30 applies to all cancellations made more than 14 days the day before the start of the event. Registration once paid cannot be cancelled 14 days or less the day before the start of the event, regardless of personal circumstances. Registration can be transferred to another delegate only if STARTTS is informed of the name change. Registration cannot be transferred to another workshop. The concession price is for full-time students, seniors and the unemployed. A photocopy or pdf of a valid concession card must be forwarded to the STARTTS training team upon registration. Registrations will not be confirmed until full payment is received. The deadlines for the early bird and standard prices cannot be extended. Sometimes STARTTS will need to change the trainer of a particular workshop. The STARTTS Training Team can be contacted at stts-training@health.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9646 6700.