Health and Wellbeing
Spot and Support: PTSD
Make school a steady, safe place for a child living with trauma, and know what helps them start to recover.
- 17 minutes
- 9 modules
- 0.5 CPD hours
- Certificate
Members
14 days free, then £70 a year or £7 a month.
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What you'll learn
- Recognise signs of PTSD and complex PTSD in children and teenagers
- Build calm, predictable routines that help a child feel safe
- Let the child choose a trusted adult and a safe space to talk
- Plan ahead for triggers such as the anniversary of the event
- Explain co-regulation and practical home support to parents
About this course
After something frightening, most children are upset for a while and then find their feet. For some, the memories keep coming back as flashbacks that get in the way of sleep, learning and friendships. That's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and school can do a lot to help.
You'll learn the signs of PTSD and complex PTSD, and what a trauma-informed approach means in a classroom: calm, predictable adults, choices wherever possible, and letting the child pick who they talk to. Younger children can work through feelings in play and art, while teenagers may want a trusted friend. You'll plan for triggers such as the anniversary of the event, and decide what teachers need to know.
Parents will ask what they can do. You'll be ready to explain co-regulation, keeping news coverage to a minimum and the basics of sleep, food and routine.
- For mental health leads. Primary and secondary.
9 modules
Open in order
- 2 min
Introduction
- 3 min
What is PTSD?
- 1 min
Risk factors
- 2 min
Protective factors
- 3 min
Supporting younger children
- 2 min
Supporting older children
- 4 min
Supporting those at home
- 3 min
Additional things to consider
- 2 min
Closing thoughts