EP 21 | Supporting Challenging Behaviour With a Trauma Lens

On today’s episode I speak with Kathy Warwick, the Head of the TraCS Trauma Consultancy Program at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. Kathy brings deep compassion and expertise to her work and, in our conversation, she shares powerful insights on viewing children’s behaviour through a trauma lens. This is a rich discussion for anyone supporting children in early childhood settings.

 

Kathy and I discuss:

🌸 The importance of adopting a trauma lens when working with children.

🌸 Recognising that challenging behaviour often signals a child’s experience of fear or stress.

🌸 The critical role of safe, supportive relationships in helping children with trauma.

🌸 How trauma can disrupt children’s developmental milestones and attachment.

🌸 The unique challenges educators face when supporting children impacted by trauma.

🌸 The value of curiosity in interpreting behaviours as potential trauma responses.

 

Kathy Warwick is the Head of Trauma Consulting (TraCS) at the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. Kathy is a qualified Social Worker who has worked with vulnerable children and families in the statutory and non-government sectors over the past 28 years. This has included working in Child Protection for 18 years in Australia and the UK and prior to her current role at AMF,  managing an Early Childhood Parenting Centre delivering numerous community and family services’ programs aimed at supporting highly vulnerable infants, children and their families. 

Having worked her entire career with children and families who have experienced significant trauma in their lives, Kathy has a strong understanding of the impact of trauma on the development and attachment experiences of children and values the role TraCS is able to play in supporting children to reach their potential in their crucial early years. This work has also made Kathy very passionate about recognising the impact  trauma can have on professionals working closely with vulnerable children and families. 

It is important that the wellbeing needs of professionals and staff providing invaluable support to these children is given the attention it deserves. If we recognise that “it can take a village to raise a child” then we must do our best to ”nurture the villagers so they can keep doing their wonderful work.”

 

Helpful links:

💫 Explore the Trauma Consultancy Service

💫 Download their guide - Trauma-Informed Practice: A Guide for Early Childhood Organisation

 

Connect with Kathy:

💫 Send her an email: [email protected]

💫 Find the Alannah + Madeline Foundation on Instagram: @alannahmadeline

💫 Visit their website: The Alannah + Madeline Foundation

 

Join the Little Bloom community:

💫 Download a *free* copy of The Guidance Toolkit

💫 Send me an email: [email protected] 

💫 Find me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

💫 Connect with me on LinkedIn: Danica See

💫 Visit my website: Little Bloom Consultancy