Self-care for staff
Staff wellbeing is an important factor to consider when supporting students impacted by trauma. Trauma informed practice in schools, a report by the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE 2020:7) states that ‘dealing regularly with students who have been impacted by trauma can impact on staff wellbeing, and may in some circumstances lead to compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress or vicarious trauma’.
The report identifies symptoms for compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress including physical, emotional or mental exhaustion’ and symptoms for vicarious trauma such as ‘exhaustion, persistent emotional arousal, the re-experiencing of traumatising events through invasive memories, thoughts, and dreams, diminished enjoyment of and commitment to one’s profession, and, reliance on avoidance behaviours’ (CESE 2020:7).
Caring for staff
There are a number of factors to help school staff recognise the signs of trauma, respond appropriately and know when to refer students for mental health support. These include:
- training and education around trauma and trauma-informed classrooms
- ensuring staff have appropriate workloads and working hours
- ensuring teachers are working with a range of students, including students who are not impacted by trauma
- providing adequate resourcing to support classrooms with students who are impacted by trauma.
Trauma informed practice in schools lists additional ways that schools can care for staff who are working with students impacted by trauma. These include:
- establishing a culture of checking-in with others regarding emotional involvement and reactions to students
- supporting the establishment and maintenance of appropriate boundaries between staff and students
- supporting staff to debrief with a professional such as a psychologist
- supporting staff to make intentional self-care plans for maintaining their wellbeing, such as through exercise, meditation, being in nature, or other activities that bring enjoyment (CESE 2020:7).
Resources for staff
The Refugee Student Counselling Support Team provide tailored professional development in a range of areas, including vicarious trauma and self-care.
The Wellbeing team list useful tools and resources for department staff to support themselves and others.
CESE Research: Trauma informed practice in schools summarises the evidence on trauma-informed practice within an educational context.
Contact EAP - Supporting You for independent and confidential counselling. Call anytime 1800 060 650.