Guide to Re-building Trust with Traumatised Children: Emotional Wellbeing in School and at Home

At times children are unable or unwilling to access or engage with emotional and mental health support services. Often members of a child’s support network are therefore required to provide this emotional guidance and support to them. Guide to Re-building Trust with Traumatised Children is intended to be used as a guide by families and friends, school staff, and any other adults supporting children who have experienced trauma, to help the adults to provide the emotional guidance these children need.

Guide to Re-building Trust with Traumatised Children aims to educate the reader about trauma and the impact of an insecure attachment – how it may impact a child, how to support a child – as well as helping the reader to understand different behaviours. The guide suggests many practical ideas and activities designed to help children to build more positive relationships, to feel safe within their world, and to express and explore their emotions. There is a section on self-care for adults, and advice about when a referral to a specialist service may be required.

This guide was designed to be used by any person supporting a child who has experienced trauma or an insecure attachment, no matter what their previous understanding of these issues might be. It is specifically written to be as accessible and as user friendly as possible to help rather than hinder the user. It can be used alone or together with the storybook The House That Wouldn’t Fall Down.

Table of Contents

1. Trauma and Attachment
2. Supporting Children
3. My Back Pack
4. Brain Education
5. Communicating and Calming
6. Breathing
7. Mindfulness
8. Relaxation
9. Senses and Making Connections
10. Expressing Emotion
11. Key Person Activities
12. Movement Breaks
13. Activities
14. Additional Support

"The House that Wouldn’t Fall Down should be a core text for any professional who is working with children. The accompanying workbook contains a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for those "where do I start moments". Working with traumatised children can be daunting, but ‘The house that wouldn’t fall down’ is a story children will love and professionals will take hope from."
- Gemma Finley, Children's Counsellor

"These wonderful stories are so easy for children to relate to, and understand the feelings and meanings shared. The resource books are ideal for helping children to explore their emotions, and for parents, carers and school staff to feel equipped to help them to do so."
- Gemma Oliver, Learning Mentor

"Due to increased waiting times and lack of outside agency support, pressure is being placed on schools to help children cope with what can be an upsetting and stressful world. Supporting with mental health is an area teachers often lack confidence in. These books and resources offer the starting point needed and enable teachers and teaching assistants to feel like this is an area they can support with. Beautifully illustrated and a pleasure to read. After years of searching I know there is nothing quite as good as this out there!"
- Corrin Watson, Assistant Head Teacher and SENCO