Supporting a child who's experienced trauma
At a glance
- Understand how trauma affects children – Learn why past experiences can shape emotions, behaviour, and relationships.
- Focus on what children need most – Safety, connection, and support to cope with big feelings.
- Build trust and emotional safety – Create a calm, predictable environment where children feel understood.
- Respond to behaviour with empathy – Look beyond behaviour to the feelings driving it.
- Know where to get more help – Access practical resources and support when you need it.
Charlein Gracia
Watch: Understanding trauma – a video series for carers
To support carers, DCJ has developed a short video series with clinical psychologist Dr Howard Bath.
These videos explain trauma in a clear, practical way and show how carers can help children and young people:
- feel safe
- build healthy connections
- develop adaptive and positive ways to cope with their past
Understanding trauma can help children in your care feel more settled and supported, and can make caring feel more manageable for you.
Video length: 12 minutes
Children who have experienced trauma are often on high alert, always watching for danger. This ongoing stress can affect their emotions, behaviour, and ability to trust adults.
This video explains how carers can:
- create emotional and cultural safety
- respond calmly to fear‑based behaviour
- acknowledge children’s feelings and experiences
Creating safety is the first step in helping children begin to heal.
Understanding trauma: three core needs of children – part 1 feeling safe
Video length: 13 minutes
Children and young people in care may feel different from others and long for a sense of normality and belonging.
This video explores how carers can:
- build strong, trusting relationships with children
- support healthy connections with peers and community
- focus on connection rather than “correcting” behaviour
Strong relationships help children feel valued, accepted, and understood.
Understanding trauma: three core needs of children – part 2 healthy connections
Video length: 16 minutes
Trauma can make it hard for children to manage strong emotions or control impulses. These reactions are often about survival, not choice.
This video explains how carers can:
- support children to understand their feelings
- coach them through emotional moments
- help them learn healthier ways to cope over time
Your calm presence, listening, and consistency play a key role in this process.
Understanding trauma: three core needs of children – part 3 adaptive coping
Dr Howard Bath has more than 40 years’ experience working with children and young people in child protection and youth justice. He has worked as a carer, youth worker, clinician, manager, and agency director.
From 2008 to 2015, he was the inaugural Children’s Commissioner of the Northern Territory, with responsibility for the wellbeing of vulnerable children. He now provides training and consultancy through Allambi Care, howardb@allambi.org
Additional trauma resources
The DCJ Psychology team regularly develops resources to support carers.
🔗 Learn more: Specialist support services
🔗 Learn more: LINKS trauma healing
🔗 Learn more:Encouraging positive behaviour
Challenging behaviour is often a sign that a child feels unsafe. Children who fear abandonment or rejection may push adults away before they can be left again.
Early experiences of neglect or harm can affect:
- a child’s ability to soothe themselves
- language development and communication
- their ability to ask for help
When children can’t express their needs in words, their distress may come out as frustration, anger, or tantrums. Responding with calm reassurance helps rebuild trust.
Music, rhythm, and movement can help children regulate their emotions and feel calmer.
Trauma affects different parts of the brain depending on a child’s age. For children who experienced harm early in life, music, singing, and rhythm can:
- support healthy brain development
- help express feelings without words
- provide comfort and connection
These activities can be simple, shared moments that help children feel safe and understood.
Caring for a child who has experienced trauma can be challenging, and you don’t have to do it alone.
If you need more support, talk to your caseworker about:
- additional guidance
- training opportunities
- therapeutic or specialist services
Reaching out for help is a strength, and it supports both you and the child in your care.