This is a practical, trauma informed professional development that aims to develop skills and confidence to support children who have experienced domestic and family violence.

Children who experience domestic and family violence are often the silent witnesses and victims to the trauma that occurs in their homes. Supporting children who have experienced family and domestic violence is a complex and sensitive area which requires specialist responses from practitioners who have solid assessment skills, an understanding of the impact of trauma, and knowledge of the impacts of living in an environment of fear and coercive control. This workshop outlines different approaches and tools for assessing risk and harm to children and draws on a range of trauma-informed expressive therapies and strength-based practice to promote the safety and wellbeing of children affected by family and domestic violence.

Date: Monday, 14 February and Monday, 21 February 2022

Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm

Location: Online

Please note this is a two part series. Participants should attend both sessions.

Learning Objectives:

Review our understanding of the impacts of domestic and family violence on children as well as tools for assessing these risks
Explore the key principles of trauma responsive practice when working with children and young people who are affected by domestic and family violence
Explore developmentally appropriate therapeutic strategies that help children to recover from their experiences of family violence
Consider how to support parents to provide relationally reparative responses to their children.

Who should attend

This workshop is suitable for practitioners working in the domestic and family violence, sexual assault and women's health and wellbeing sector.

About the facilitators

Tania Falstead

Tania is a highly skilled, compassionate, and empathic professional counsellor, supervisor and program leader with 20 years’ experience in the social welfare sector. Tania’s experience includes roles as a practitioner, therapist, supervisor, manager, trainer and consultant in the areas of domestic and family violence and sexual assault, child protection, mental health, family support and telephone and online counselling. Tania provides consultancy, supervision, coaching, in-home therapy, training and program support to government and non-government organisations. Tania’s commitment to supporting workers to become trauma-informed and to practice with purpose remains her clear, tenacious focus.