Skip to main content
Normal View

School Facilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (455)

Gary Gannon

Question:

455. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the pilot workshops on trauma informed approaches from the National Educational Psychological Service have been delivered; and if the national roll-out is still planned for the 2022-2023 academic year. [16723/22]

View answer

Written answers

The pilot workshops on trauma informed approaches is complete and is ready for launch. The webinars were developed as part of support and development work by NEPS. The series of Wellbeing and Resilience in schools webinars, explore the use of whole-school, compassionate and trauma-informed approaches to build safe and connected schools. Part 1, is called ‘The Stress factor - Getting the balance right’ is a webinar for all school staff. This will be followed by a series of special interest modules using the Department’s new e- learning platform. The approaches outlined in the workshops are based on research findings, on the experience of experts in their fields and on the experience of practising psychologists working in schools. The focus of the workshops is on exploring and understanding the sources and impact of stress on children and young people including attachment, trauma and adverse experiences. The emphasis is on creating environments to reduce stress and on developing skills all children and young people need to better manage in school. The training will also cover the influences of stress on school staff and how to best to manage this. It is intended that staff will find the content useful in supporting their own wellbeing. The workshops will be available to build the capability of school staff in both primary and post-primary settings. The workshops are for all staff and all students including those with special educational needs or those children impacted by trauma and adverse experiences. NEPS psychologists will be available to support implementation in schools.

Given the situation with families arriving from Ukraine who will have experienced trauma and loss, plans are under way to make this training available to schools in advance of the launch of the training on the Department online learning management system.

Individual psychologists also offer bespoke training to schools on trauma informed practice when requested.

Top
Share