This module develops the application of the principles of trauma-informed practice in professional interactions within detention settings: identifying the effects of trauma on behaviour, using communication aimed at relational safety, and adapting professional responses to reduce the risk of escalation and support a practice based on respect, responsibility and restorative justice.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Identify and analyse behavioural, emotional and relational indicators, including early signs of emotional arousal, associated with exposure to trauma in prison settings, using structured professional observation. (LO1)
- Apply principles of trauma-informed communication in professional interactions with people experiencing emotional distress or heightened vulnerability, to support relational safety and the stability of the interaction. (LO2)
- Analyse the triggers of trauma and associated reaction patterns in complex prison scenarios, in order to select professional responses appropriate to the context and to reduce the risk of escalation. (LO3)
- Adapt communication and professional response in high-stress situations to reduce the risk of retraumatisation and to maintain clear, safe and trauma-sensitive professional boundaries. (LO4)
- Integrate the principles of trauma-informed practice into decision-making and the development of one’s own professional practice, using reflection and analysis of experiences to continuously improve practice and professional response. (LO5)
Structure and workload
The module follows nine chapters, from the module overview to further resources. Total duration: 8 hours – 3 hours face-to-face (F2F) at a local CoVE (national language), 1 hour of synchronous online sessions with international trainers (English; part of the three-hour synchronous session on Substance Abuse (Addictions)) and 4 hours of asynchronous learning on the Moodle PROMOTE platform. The module is designed for two accreditation levels: EQF 5 (foundation level) and EQF 6 (advanced level).
Assessment
Four individual assessment tasks (Chapter 7), submitted via Moodle PROMOTE: role-play / simulation (LO1, LO3, LO4); analysis of a case study (LO2, LO3, LO4); reflective analysis of professional practice (LO4, LO5); contextual analysis and justification of the professional response (LO2–LO5). Each learning outcome has a weighting of 20%. A knowledge test in Chapter 8 supports your self-assessment.