Guides: Education Support and Childcare: Children and Young People at Risk

Trauma Informed Practice books and eBooks

Allergy Possible! Allergy Possible! is a picture book that spreads awareness about what it's like to be a child living with life-threatening anaphylaxis and the story is very relatable for children who have life-threatening allergies. It's also the perfect book for caregivers, teachers, family members and friends. Learning about anaphylaxis is as important as learning the Heimlich Maneuver or CPR. Every child and adult should be aware of anaphylaxis and how serious it is, so that they can potentially help to save a life.
Building a Trauma-Informed Restorative School Covering both theory and practice, this book will teach educators everything they need to know about developing restorative practices in their education settings, in a way that is also trauma-informed.
Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools Drawing on her extensive experience as a school counsellor, trainer, and mother, trauma expert Jen Alexander delivers a comprehensive framework for building a safe, supportive school environment that helps all students learn and thrive.
Creating Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Classrooms With accessible strategies grounded in trauma-informed education and positive psychology, this book equips teachers to support all students, particularly the most vulnerable. It will help them to build their resilience, increase their motivation and engagement, and fulfil their full learning potential within the classroom.
The Educator's Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance During Laura Kerbey's time teaching autistic children, she had a sudden realisation that those with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) are children like no other! This short, easy-to-read guide is here to teach you everything you need to know from one educator to another. With an introduction to what PDA is followed by PDA tailored advice on how to connect with your student and create an autonomous, spontaneous environment that is personalised for you both, this guide is here to ensure that you and your PDA student thrive.
Good Thinking: a Teenager's Guide to Managing Stress and Emotion Using CBT Practical help for teenagers navigating negative emotions, stress and self-defeating behaviour. Anxiety, anger, frustration, guilt and sadness can have a huge impact on our lives. Sometimes we get stuck in negative ways of thinking that perpetuate these emotions and upsetting emotions can lead to self-defeating behaviours, such as avoidance, irritability, withdrawal and brooding. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an approach used by therapists all over the world to help people learn to think in a healthy and balanced way, and to bounce back more quickly from stressful events. It provides techniques to help overcome stress, negative emotions and self-defeating behaviour. The book contains plenty of real-life examples, practical tools and exercises.
Teaching, Learning, and Trauma, Grades 6-12 In Teaching, Learning, and Trauma, the authors guide you through the process of creating a learning environment that combats the negative effects of chronic stress and trauma. They show you how to establish rituals and routines, develop personalization, and implement effective student engagement practices that create a relationship-based culture and effectively improve student achievement.
Trauma-Responsive Practices for Early Childhood Leaders Specifically designed for administrators and leaders working in early childhood education, this practical guide offers comprehensive resources for creating trauma-responsive organizations and systems. The guidance in this book is explained with simple, easy-to-implement strategies you can apply immediately.
Working with Relational Trauma in Schools Written by experienced clinicians, this book provides an exploration of how educators can easily use Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) to help vulnerable pupils to thrive. DDP is an intervention model for children and young people who have experienced trauma in past relationships.

Child Protection eBooks

Child Protection The reported prevalence of child maltreatment - neglect; physical, emotional and sexual abuse; and exposure to family violence - is at unacceptable levels in Australia. This book asks, What is child abuse? What are its causes? and When should children at risk be removed?
Child Protection: The Essential Guide for Teachers and Other Professionals whose Work Involves Children This book is important reading and a timely reminder that professionals who ignore child abuse, collude with abusers. It contains comprehensive information for both parents and professionals on how to help children stay safe.

Trauma and Trauma Informed Practice Websites

Australian Childhood Foundation - Trauma Aware & Responsive Education Includes resources on supporting your work with children and young people. Information about Making SPACE For Learning
Helping Children & Teens After a Trauma Helpful resources (fact sheets & booklets) explaining the effects of trauma, and how to find help - available as PDF.
A mother’s journey to healing her family ABC article about a women and her three children leaving her abusive partner. Some of that violence and trauma came with them — manifesting as violent meltdowns in her seven-year-old son.
Pheonix Australia "Explore our latest resources, guidelines, supports and services designed to help you understand, prevent and recover from the impacts of trauma, and to support trauma-impacted loved ones or communities."
Trauma Aware and Responsive Education Includes resources on supporting your work with children and young people. Information about Making SPACE For Learning
Trauma Informed Practice in Action Trauma informed articles --- Teacher is published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), a not-for-profit organisation, independent of government and education systems.
Trauma Informed Practice in Schools (NSW) Includes resources on supporting your work with children and young people. Information about Making SPACE For Learning
Trauma Responsive Practice Training for educators to support children affected by trauma. This trauma informed training is designed to build understanding, strengthen existing practices, and create networks in early childhood education and care to enhance the learning, development, and wellbeing of all children.

Child Protection Websites

Child Protection Privacy and Information Sharing. "As a school staff member you are permitted to share certain information about a child who has been impacted by abuse. This page provides guidance on the specific information sharing requirements."
Child Wise "The Child Wise mission is to lead the world in transforming systems and institutions to keep children and young people safe from abuse and harm."
Department of Communities - Child Protection "The Department of Communities protects and cares for Western Australian children and young people who are in need, and supports families and individuals who are at risk or in crisis."
eSafeKids "eSafeKids is a social enterprise founded by Kayelene Kerr. Kayelene is recognised as one of Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene has featured on Australian and international television broadcasts, radio programs and in print media."
Identify Child Abuse "As a school staff member, it is critical to be able to recognise the physical or behavioural signs of child abuse."
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect "This resource sheet provides information on mandatory reporting laws, which require specified people to report designated types of suspected child maltreatment to specified state or territory authorities."
Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in WA "It is a legal requirement in WA for doctors, nurses, midwives, teachers (including TAFE lecturers), police officers, boarding supervisors, ministers of religion, out-of-home care workers, assessors and departmental officers of the Department of Communities to report child sexual abuse."
NAPCAN: Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect. The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), is "Australia’s first secular for purpose organisation to focus entirely on the prevention of child abuse and neglect before it starts."
National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 "The National Strategy is the first of its kind in Australia, and provides a nationally coordinated, strategic framework for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. It seeks to reduce the risk, extent and impact of child sexual abuse and related harms in Australia."

Journal Articles

SOS: A Simple Trauma Informed Strategy for Children "A child's trauma response can be violent, with the child hitting others, harming himself, or destroying objects-but the teacher remaining calm and caring is critical to resolving the situation in the short term and building the child's social and emotional skills in the long term." -- taken from abstract.
What is Impact? "This Resource Page is Dedicated to Helping You and Your Community to Understand: "Trauma-Responsive Communities" and "Trauma-Responsive Practices"
Child Protection and Abuse Prevention in Out of School Hours Care: Working with Educators, Coordinators, Managers and Executive Officers Published by Macquarie University, this report discusses the overall wellbeing and protection f children in out of school care.
The Teachers' Role in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs: Implications for Teacher Education "In response to the diverse number of child sexual abuse prevention programs currently implemented in school contexts, this paper examines key considerations for selecting such initiatives and the multiplicity of understandings required to inform facilitation of contextually relevant prevention curriculum." -- taken from website.

Childhood Trauma Videos

Childhood Trauma and the Brain : 5:10 Minutes From the UK Trauma Council, this video discusses how childhood trauma can effect everyday challenges for children as they grow up.
Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse and Trauma: 8:40 Minutes "Child abuse is such a horrifying topic that many people find it hard to even think about. That is not a luxury for police on the frontline though, who can pay a high psychological price for trying to keep our kids safe and bring perpetrators to justice."
How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime: 16:02 Minutes "Paediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain."
Parenting 101: Four Corners: 15:56 Minutes Learning how to become a better parent. "You don't naturally know what to do as a mum. It doesn't come to you like that, it's learnt. You have to work at being a parent." Mother of two. Having a child is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world, but knowing how to raise one can be another thing entirely. Even in the most loving families, parenthood can be incredibly daunting.

The Truth About: Childhood Trauma: 4:06 Minutes Produced by SBS this video, busts "the myth that children who have experienced trauma will just get over it once they are older." -- taken from description.
Understanding Trauma: Phoenix Australia: 2:22 Minutes "Traumatic events are common, and most people will experience at least one during their lives. Trauma comes in many forms and affects thousands of Australians every day. Most people recover with the help of family and friends, but there are effective treatments for those needing extra support. Watch this brief video to understand more about trauma and how it affects people."

Child Protection Videos

Child Protection: 14:08 Minutes This week, the team debate the procedures involved after a teaching assistant is accused of an inappropriate advance towards a pupil. The panel question where they can go for advice on child protection and their role in setting policy. They also discuss how to handle the consequences of such an event in school and how they can protect both staff and pupils in such circumstances
Kids at Risk: 57:00 Minutes In this episode if SBS program Insight, "Jenny Brockie talks with young people, families and case workers about why so many children are at risk of abuse and looks at solutions to such a huge problem"
Don't let her out! Not even 30 welfare calls could save this little girl: 5.28 Minutes "Those she trusted the most turned out to be evil."

Change the Story: What is the difference: 24:18 Minutes Dr Lara Fergus discusses the effects of domestic violence of women and children and how to prevent it.
Responding to disclosures of child abuse and neglect: 41:34 Minutes This webinar discusses how educators can respond to child abuse and neglect, recognise the signs of abuse and the main barriers to disclosure.
16 Days of Action Webinar: 1:30:52 Minutes From NAPCAN (Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect) - In this webinar ‘The many faces of prevention – putting a stop to domestic and family violence before it starts’ on 9 December 2021, we heard from three projects showcasing the diversity of prevention initiatives in the domestic and family violence sector.

Books

Counselling Children This book is the definitive guide to the skills and techniques used when working with children experiencing emotional problems. This book covers all you need to know about, including a new chapter on technology.
Child Protection: The Essential Guide for Teachers and other Professionals whose Work Involves Children. "This book's intention is to reveal what is really happening in our society and to spur people into action to turn this shameful and complex problem around so that abuse stops and healing can begin. It should be a compulsory handbook for all whose work involves children, especially in the legal system, all human services, schools, pre-schools and foster care. It covers all aspects of child abuse and neglect and presents case studies of acts of abuse and the ways they have been dealt with in recent times."
Childhood Disrupted Your biography becomes your biology. The emotional trauma we suffer as children not only shapes our emotional lives as adults, but it also affects our physical health, longevity, and overall well-being. Donna Jackson Nakazawa shares stories from people who have overcome adverse experiences, shows why some children are more immune to stress than others, and explains why women are at particular risk.

Junior Fiction

Let's Talk about Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect This book explores consent and respect with children especially in relation to body boundaries, both theirs and others. A child growing up knowing they have a right to their own personal space, gives that child ownership and choices as to what happens to them. These concepts are presented in a child-friendly and easily-understood manner.
My Underpants Rule! My Underpants Rule! is fun, bright and lively, encouraging toddlers and primary children to empower themselves without causing alarm. "What's under my pants belongs only to me!" is reinforced by rhymes and scenarios, ingraining what is appropriate and inappropriate, and what to do in difficult situations.
Rosy and Jack "Rosy and Jack are a sister and brother who have had bad things done to them. They were touched by someone in ways they didn't like and told to keep it a secret. Rosy and Jack decided this was a bad secret. But who could they tell? And what would happen? This is a picture book for anyone who needs courage to make a stand against bad things. This is a story about sexual abuse and what can be done to stop it."

Harry and the Storm (PDF) From Phoenix Australia - A story for children who have experienced trauma.