City-Wide Trauma Awareness, Sensitivity and Healing Through Relationships
2.9.2 Trauma Responsive Schools Pilot Programme: Sept 2022 - Jan 2022
A pilot programme for schools was commissioned by Cork Trauma-sensitive Cities in 2022. This programme was developed and delivered in partnership with Trauma Responsive Education, which is a social enterprise. This pilot was delivered to over 60 staff nominated from 10 schools and 2 school completion programmes across the Rapid areas in Cork City. The programme was funded through Rapid and Cork City Council. The focus of the pilot was to build knowledge and understanding within the school of Trauma responsive education, it was delivered across 5 weeks and included pre and post-training follow up, the development of a trauma-responsive plan for each school and quarterly reflective practice sessions annually.
2.9.3 Munster Technological University Trauma Awareness Training: May 2022- December 2022
The Teaching and Learning Unit at Munster Technological University (Cork) funded 3-hour trauma awareness training delivered by Dr Judith Butler and Dr Annie Cummins (Lecturers/ Researchers MTU and steering group members) to Cork ETB principals, Further Education College teachers, Youthreach centres, Active Inclusion, post-primary teachers and primary teachers in 11 colleges and schools in Cork to date. This training introduced Trauma-sensitive approaches in education with a focus on supporting students fleeing war. The awareness training has been evaluated and highlights that 75% of teachers had no relevant training on the needs of children who have experienced trauma. In addition, 96% asserted that the training was ‘excellent’ (80%) or ‘very good’ (16%) asserting that it would positively impact their teaching and engagement with learners. The value of this 3-hour sessions can be seen in the responses from the teachers. I must remember to be kind towards learners, if there is a difficulty or a learner has a distressed response then I will think of the regulate, relate, and reason response mentioned. Smile. Give choices. Provide students with a sense of care and community in the classroom as you don’t know if they have had this before I’m going to focus on relationships. It’s obvious now that I may indeed be the only smile a student sees in a day! Not going to be annoyed & unwelcoming when students are late. I’m going to find what is going on & if I can assist. Meet needs - as you said Maslow & meeting needs come first. I now know I’m a key person in my students’ life. People change people.
Cork Trauma Sensitive City
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