The content of the workshop focuses around the early response to clients who experiences recent, single traumatic events, without complications. The workshop aims to equip practitioners to follow good practice guidelines and avoid interventions that have more recently been flagged as potentially ineffective or harmful. The theoretical foundation follows the Trauma Support model proposed by TraumaClinic, the Integrated Approach (or Wits Model) and Psychological First Aid, as supported by the WHO.

This workshop is approved by SACSSP for 6.5 CPD points for social workers and full participation is required to qualify for CPD points.

The workshop consists of two sessions of 3 hours each, both sessions must be attended to qualify for CPD points. New dates and times for the next workshop will be available soon.

In this workshop you will learn about:

• Understanding trauma (What makes an event traumatic?)
• Risk and protective factors
• Phases of trauma (post-traumatic stress reaction)
• Brief overview of trauma disorders (PTSD, ASD, Complex Trauma)
• Principles of trauma-informed care
• Trauma support for individuals (principles of trauma support, Psychological First Aid, the trauma support process)
• Trauma support for groups (trauma in the workplace & guidelines for management and HR practitioners)
• Preventing secondary trauma in helpers

What is not included in this workshop:

• Treatment of trauma disorders, severe trauma or complex trauma
• Interventions for children (interventions are generally geared to support children as well, however specific trauma interventions for children are not included)

Participants will receive workshop notes and a certificate upon completion with CPD accreditation.

Trauma intervention can be a sensitive topic and the workshop may contain content that can be triggering for some individuals. Only attend the workshop if you are comfortable with the topic and able to apply self-care when needed.

The workshop is facilitated fully online via Zoom. Participants are required to remain on camera for the full duration of each session and should ensure that their equipment and internet connection is suitable for this kind of interaction. Attendance with a phone or tablet is not recommended – it is recommended to use a PC or laptop since some of the screens that will be shared may include text or diagrams that would be too small to read on a cellphone screen. It is recommended that each participant should attend from a suitable physical space (for example, not while travelling or while sharing office space with others). The use of headphones is recommended – alternatively participants should be in a space not shared with others.