Claire Stevens is the Quality and Performance Manager at On Course SW, and in this video she explains how the first port of call should be a Safeguarding Officer if you suspect that a young person is exhibiting signs of trauma. A Safeguard Officer can access the level of risk for that student, if the trauma is recent, or whether it’s from something that happened in the past.
Claire goes on to explore the techniques that can help a young person suffering with trauma feel both safe and secure in the classroom; such as simple steps like not standing between that student and the door of the classroom, or asking them where they would like to sit in the room. But it’s also crucial to understand when not to intrude, as this risks re-traumatizing the,, so remember that all discussion about the trauma should come from the student.
Understanding the situations that cause students to get angry, anxious or upset is key, and Claire explains when you should allow that young person the time and space to calm down. Claire also suggests a number of subtle ways you can ask the student to communicate with you when they’re experiencing trauma, these methods ensure that the student doesn’t have to announce it to the room, helping them feel safer.
Using the right vocabulary is also important in protecting young people with trauma, with words such as ‘oversensitive’ being very inappropriate, so Claire encourages teaches to think carefully about their words, and the methods to help students feel more comfortable.
Claire goes on to list the various support groups, mental health services, clubs, and contacts from across Plymouth that can help young people realise that they’re not alone in their healing journey.
