Trauma Responsive Practices

The Australian Childhood Foundation has developed evidence -based trauma responsive wellbeing principles. These principles describe a range of possible behaviours that are part of the lived experiences of many people with whom we work.

The cumulative impacts of social determinants of health, such as poverty, food security, housing stability, employment and access to health care, are seen by health professionals as a complex set of behaviours. These trauma responsive practices can guide health professionals in their daily interactions with families.

Trauma can affect physiological arousal levels

Health practitioners provide calm, predictable, and culturally safe environments that support regulation of stress and arousal and help people feel physically and psychologically safe.

Trauma can reduce a person’s impulse control and their capacity to self-regulate

Health practitioners support co-regulation through respectful, consistent relationships grounded in acceptance, empathy, curiosity and being present.

Trauma can disrupt the ability to form safe and trusting relationships

Health practitioners build trust through reliability, respect, and culturally safe relationships.

Trauma can limit a person’s ability to be flexible and adapt to change

Health practitioners provide predictability and clear communication, by preparing people for transitions and minimising unexpected changes wherever possible.

Trauma can lead to an increased or miscued perception of threat

Trauma-based behaviour is often driven by a perception of threat. Health practitioners respond with compassion and respect, understanding behaviour as communication rather than intentional non-compliance or resistance.

Trauma can disrupt memory

Health practitioners use clear communication and provide structure, consistency and visual cues to support a person’s understanding and recall.

Trauma can affect a person’s capacity to focus, concentrate and sustain attention

Health practitioners adapt environments, processes and their expectations to support engagement, recognising that attention is influenced by a person’s sense of safety and wellbeing.

Trauma can diminish social skills and impact connection with others

Health practitioners support safe, respectful, and culturally appropriate opportunities for connection, recognising the importance of family, kinship and community.

Trauma can disrupt development, weaken a person's sense of self and identity, and affect their social and emotional wellbeing.

Health Practitioners support each person’s social and emotional wellbeing by respecting who they are, honouring their dignity, recognising their strengths and valuing their cultures, lived experiences and sense of identity.