11. Understanding child sexual abuse and trauma: training course for carers

Course overview

This course is designed for foster carers, residential carers and other professionals involved in the support of children who have experienced sexual abuse and trauma. It focuses on both younger children and adolescents and will be of use to experienced or new carers. The course will involve a mixture of presentation, exercises and discussion and each participant will be given a training pack.

Course aims

• To provide participants with a basic understanding of the dynamics of sexual abuse and trauma
  
  
• To provide basic information on adult sex offending and the implications for children
  
  
• To consider the impact of sexual abuse and trauma events upon children's development and behaviour
  
  
• To help explain why some traumatised children may develop aggressive, sexualised, oppositional, withdrawn or 'frozen' behaviours and have difficulties forming attachments to their carers
  
  
• To help carers consider the therapeutic care needs of traumatised children and how best to meet their underlying needs
  
  
• To explore and share a range of practical care strategies to help children become unstuck, to develop emotionally and to better attach to their carers
  
  
• To help carers consider how to respond to children's memories, allegations and comments about their past and consider the requirements of child protection procedures
  
  
• To provide an opportunity for carers to discuss and share their questions, fears and worries
  

For further information and to discuss your individual needs please contact the Training Co-ordinator on 01527 591922 or email: training@lucyfaithfull.org.uk