To work in the social and community work sector, it is important to understand how trauma can affect presentation, engagement and the outcome of interventions. Trauma, including one-time, multiple, or long-lasting repetitive events, affects everyone differently.

Some individuals may clearly display criteria associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but many more individuals will exhibit resilient responses or brief symptoms or consequences that fall outside of diagnostic criteria and quite often children do not meet this criteria.

Social and community workers work with populations which have long and complex histories of abuse and violence combined with pressing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. A developed understanding of these factors supports an informed approach to effective practice. This unit will enable students to develop a broad understanding of traumatic stress reactions and common responses to trauma.

Students will develop their understanding of the potential emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioural and/or developmental reactions to trauma. They will assess how traumatic events, including child maltreatment, domestic violence, poverty, gang/community violence, natural disasters and war impact on working with individuals and groups.

Students will explore the complexities of defining trauma, including consideration of the fact that traumatic experiences can be experienced directly, or indirectly by witnessing the trauma of another. Crucially, students will examine how trauma does not affect everyone equally, and this is partially dependent on the age/development of the person, gender, existing risks and strengths, and available social supports. International comparisons in literature will underpin a range of responses to supporting individuals who have experienced trauma.

The report will meet the following Learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate systemic knowledge and understanding of the potential emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioural and developmental reactions to trauma.
2. Investigate how the effects of traumatic events influence strategies in working with affected individuals. 3. Analyse approaches and risk management when working with trauma.

For the assessment of this module you are required to write a report about trauma informed practice. The report will examine a range of reactions to trauma including emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioural and developmental. The report will also consider a range of strategies and approaches to support the working with individuals who have experienced and also how practitioners can manage risk of further trauma.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (30 hours)

You will attend lectures on key topics. There will also be opportunities to participate in small groups to explore some of the key issues raised in lectures and undertake activities.

Guided Independent Study: (170 hours)

100 hours: Independent reading - You will be expected to read the recommended reading and utilise the learning materials which you will have full access to via Blackboard.
70 hours: report preparation and development time.

Module Learning Outcome
1. Demonstrate systemic knowledge and understanding of the potential emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioural and developmental reactions to trauma.
University Learning Outcome
1. Knowledge and Understanding

Module Learning Outcome
2. Investigate how the effects of traumatic events influence strategies in working with affected individuals.
University Learning Outcome
3. Enquiry


Module Learning Outcome
3. Analyse approaches and risk management when working with trauma.
University Learning Outcome
4. Analysis

You will have access to a range of materials on Blackboard VLE including articles, session slides, and interactive activities.
You will also be able to access a variety of digital material through our Library and specialist databases.

Ayre, K. and Krishnamoorthy, G., 2020. Trauma informed behaviour support: a practical guide to developing resilient learners.

Treisman, K. (2017) Working with Relational and Developmental Trauma in Children and Adolescents. Oxon: Routledge.

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This module will introduce learners to the issue of complex trauma and adverse childhood experiences, their immediate impact on the individual and their impact on later life outcomes. Learners will learn models of trauma recovery and how families can be supported to overcome the impact of cyclical advers.