4.3 Explain the role of trauma informed practice

This guide will help you answer 4.3 Explain the role of trauma informed practice.

Trauma informed practice means working with children and young people in a way that recognises the impact trauma has on their behaviour, emotions, and ability to engage. It is about being aware that past experiences may affect how they respond in the present. In playwork, this approach guides how staff create safe, supportive, and respectful play spaces.

Trauma in this context can include experiences such as abuse, neglect, family breakdown, bereavement, bullying, or exposure to violence. It can also relate to situations like parental mental health problems, substance misuse in the family, or extreme poverty. These experiences can leave emotional and psychological marks that show in a child’s everyday actions.

A trauma informed approach avoids judgement and focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour. This shifts thinking from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What has happened to you?”. It encourages workers to respond with care and understanding rather than punishment or dismissal.

The Principles of Trauma Informed Practice

Trauma informed practice in playwork is built on clear principles that guide decision making and daily actions. These can help workers support children effectively.

• Safety – Children need to feel physically and emotionally safe. This means providing secure environments where they are treated with respect.
• Trustworthiness – Predictable routines, honesty, and clear boundaries help children trust adults in the setting.
• Choice – Allowing children to make decisions about their play builds self-confidence.
• Collaboration – Working together with children, families, and other professionals ensures consistent support.
• Empowerment – Giving children opportunities to express themselves and be heard develops their sense of control.

Keeping these principles in mind helps workers respond to situations with compassion and clarity.

Recognising the Signs of Trauma

Children affected by trauma may show certain behaviours or responses. These signs can be subtle or very clear. Playworkers should pay attention to changes in mood, play choices, and relationships.

Possible indicators include:

• Difficulty trusting adults or other children
• Withdrawal from group activities
• Sudden anger or aggression
• Extreme sensitivity to loud sounds or sudden movements
• Poor concentration or appearing distracted
• Avoidance of eye contact
• Physical complaints without clear medical cause, such as stomach aches or headaches
• Excessive need for reassurance

Children may express trauma through play. A child might repeat certain themes in imaginative play, such as loss, conflict, or danger. Observing these patterns helps staff understand a child’s emotional state.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Play Environment

Play spaces should be welcoming, predictable, and inclusive. A safe environment allows children to take part without fear. Trauma informed practice means planning spaces and activities with emotional safety in mind.

Ways to create safety:

• Keep routines consistent
• Use calm voices and respectful communication
• Provide quiet spaces for children to retreat to when overwhelmed
• Display clear rules in child-friendly language
• Allow flexibility in activities to accommodate different needs

Physical safety is equally important. Hazards should be removed or minimised, but workers must balance this with freedom for children to explore and take reasonable risks.

Relationship Building and Trust

Trauma can cause children to lose trust in adults. In playwork, building trust is a gradual process. Trust grows when children see that staff are reliable, kind, and non-judgemental.

Steps to build trust include:

• Greeting children warmly each day
• Keeping promises, even small ones
• Listening without interrupting
• Acknowledging feelings and validating emotions
• Responding calmly to strong behaviour

Trust cannot be rushed. Children may test boundaries repeatedly before they feel safe. Patience and consistency are key.

Staff Behaviour and Language

How staff speak and act can greatly influence a child’s sense of safety. Trauma informed practice uses behaviour and language that provide reassurance rather than fear.

Examples:

• Avoid shouting or humiliating children
• Use simple, clear language to explain tasks or rules
• Offer choices rather than commands when possible
• Stay calm during conflict and model respectful problem-solving
• Praise effort and progress instead of focusing only on outcomes

Workers who manage their own emotions well set a positive example and help children learn self-regulation.

The Role of Play as a Healing Tool

Play is more than recreation. For children affected by trauma, play can be an important part of self-healing. Through play, they can explore feelings, practise social skills, and gain a sense of control.

Types of play that support recovery:

• Creative play such as drawing, painting, or building structures
• Role-play to act out events or imagine safer scenarios
• Sensory play with materials like sand, water, or clay
• Physical play that helps release tension

Playworkers should watch for moments when a child uses play to express emotions. Sensitive observation can help staff decide when to join in or simply allow the play to continue without interruption.

Collaboration with Families and Other Professionals

Trauma informed practice works best when all adults in a child’s life share the same approach. Playworkers often work alongside teachers, social workers, and health professionals.

Effective collaboration involves:

• Sharing relevant observations with consent from guardians
• Respecting the privacy and dignity of the child
• Attending meetings about the child’s care
• Following recorded care plans
• Using agreed strategies consistently

Working with families is important. Parents or carers can give insight into a child’s history and triggers. Open communication makes support more effective.

Supporting Emotional Regulation

Trauma can affect a child’s ability to manage emotions. They may react more strongly than others to small changes or challenges. Playworkers can help guide children in calming themselves.

Practical strategies:

• Teach simple breathing exercises
• Encourage physical movement like stretching or walking
• Provide fidget tools or calming objects
• Offer positive self-talk phrases
• Use visual aids for routines and expectations

Giving children tools to manage emotions builds resilience and confidence.

Avoiding Retraumatisation

Retraumatisation happens when an experience triggers memories or feelings from past trauma. This can cause distress or a negative reaction. Playworkers should think carefully about activities, language, and behaviour to avoid this.

Examples of avoiding retraumatisation:

• Do not force participation in activities that cause visible anxiety
• Limit exposure to sudden loud noises or chaotic environments
• Avoid punishment that removes a child’s sense of control
• Be sensitive to cultural and personal differences

Observation and flexibility help prevent situations that might harm a child’s emotional state.

Staff Training and Reflection

Trauma informed practice requires ongoing learning. Staff should update their skills regularly through training, team discussions, and self-reflection.

Ways to build knowledge:

• Attend courses on child development and trauma
• Read current research in accessible formats
• Share experiences in team meetings
• Record reflections after challenging incidents
• Seek supervision or mentoring

Reflective practice encourages staff to think about their responses and adapt when needed.

Legal and Policy Considerations

In the UK, several laws and regulations guide work with children who may have experienced trauma. Playworkers should be aware of the legal framework they work within.

Relevant legislation and guidance:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance
• Equality Act 2010
• Data Protection Act 2018

Policies in the setting should align with these laws. Workers must follow safeguarding procedures without delay if they suspect a child is at risk.

Measuring the Impact of Trauma Informed Practice

It can be helpful to track how trauma informed approaches affect children over time. This might include:

• Noting improvements in social interaction
• Observing increased participation in play
• Recording fewer behavioural incidents
• Seeing greater emotional self-control

Regular reviews with the team can identify what is working well and what needs adjusting.

Self-Care for Playworkers

Working in a trauma informed way can be emotionally draining. Staff must look after their own wellbeing to continue supporting children effectively.

Ideas for self-care:

• Take regular breaks during shifts
• Use supervision sessions to discuss difficult cases
• Practise relaxation or mindfulness outside work
• Maintain healthy sleep and diet routines
• Access support services if feeling overwhelmed

Healthy staff are better able to respond calmly and consistently.

Final Thoughts

Trauma informed practice in playwork is about creating environments of respect, safety, and connection. It recognises that behaviour often has a history and that understanding this can change the way we respond. By using predictable routines, supportive relationships, and flexible activities, playworkers can help children feel safe enough to explore and grow.

This approach requires awareness, patience, and empathy from all staff. It can affect the atmosphere of a play setting in positive ways, making it somewhere children feel valued and understood. For many children, a trauma informed playworker can be the difference between feeling isolated and feeling included. This is what makes the role so important in early years and playwork practice.