Managing Teams Through Trauma & Critical Incidents

Support staff wellbeing. Lead with stability. Build resilient teams in demanding environments.

Overview

This workshop helps managers support frontline teams working in emotionally demanding environments. Participants will explore the impacts of trauma, vicarious trauma and critical incidents on staff wellbeing, team dynamics and workplace performance. The session focuses on practical strategies for recognising signs of distress, leading supportive debriefs, maintaining professional boundaries, and creating psychologically safer team environments. As part of the Manage with Confidence program, it supports managers to balance staff wellbeing with accountability, service delivery and sustainable leadership practice.

Why this course matters

• Build confidence in responding to trauma-related workplace impacts
• Strengthen manager capability in supporting staff wellbeing
• Improve team responses following critical incidents
• Reduce the risk of burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma
• Support psychologically safer workplace practices
• Strengthen resilience and emotional regulation within teams

What participants will learn

• The impacts of trauma and vicarious trauma in frontline settings
• Recognising signs of stress, overwhelm and emotional fatigue in staff
• Practical approaches for supportive conversations and check-ins
• Leading structured and psychologically safe debriefs
• Strategies for maintaining accountability alongside wellbeing support
• Professional boundaries and the manager’s role in support
• Techniques for modelling calm communication and emotional regulation
• Practical wellbeing and resilience strategies for teams

Who should attend

• Team Leaders
• Frontline managers
• Coordinators
• Managers supervising housing and community services staff
• Participants in the Manage with Confidence program

Organisational benefits

• Stronger staff wellbeing and support practices
• Improved manager confidence following critical incidents
• Reduced risk of burnout and workforce fatigue
• More consistent responses to emotionally demanding situations
• Improved team stability, retention and workplace culture

What participants will receive

• Practical wellbeing and debriefing tools
• Reflection activities for workplace application
• Strategies for psychologically safer team practices

Download the complete program guide here.

Facilitator - Lauren Thomson

Lauren is a learning and development professional with over 20 years’ experience designing professional development programs across a range of sectors, including public and community housing. She builds capability by focusing not just on training, but on the systems, resources and environments that support long-term growth. Before joining CHIA Vic, she worked on an AI capability project with Infoxchange to support not-for-profits exploring emerging technologies.