Why is this programme needed?
It is now widely understood that people with learning disabilities and autistic people are likely to have had multiple traumatic experiences across their lifetime which can have a negative impact on their wellbeing. However the signs can be overlooked, misunderstood or attributed to their disability or autism.
Skills for Care have identified trauma informed practice as a key skill for good support workers.
Drawing on Respond's specialist experience, this two-day, face-to-face programme helps support workers look beyond presenting behaviours and develop a more psychologically informed, relational and accessible understanding of the person.
Who is this programme for?
People working in health education and social care who provide direct support who want to extend their knowledge and understanding of trauma and its impact on the quality of life of people they support. This programme will also give participants practical strategies to ensure the support they provide is truly trauma informed .
What will participants learn?
Across two interactive days, participants will develop their understanding of trauma in the context of learning disability and autism and, importantly, consider how to translate that understanding into everyday practice.
The programme explores trauma and its expression; learning disability and autism as distinct but sometimes overlapping experiences; masking, communication and sensory needs; attachment and relationships and the impact of trauma on families, carers, professionals and wider systems.
Day 2 moves from understanding into application, helping practitioners think about what they do differently, including accessible communication, relational practice, formulation before behaviour management, power and choice, reflective practice, safeguarding and working with professional networks.
Included in the programme
Participants also receive a practitioner workbook designed to support reflection during the programme and practical tools will be provided that can be taken back into teams and services.
Workplace delivery
The programme can also be delivered in-house for teams of up to 15 participants, tailored to your organisation's needs.