Training and talks for organisations
Understanding and managing secondary trauma
Building resilience and wellbeing for those who support others
What is Understanding and managing secondary trauma?
Working with children, young people, and adults who have experienced trauma can take a quiet toll on the people who care for them. Over time, exposure to others’ distress and pain can lead to what’s known as secondary trauma — the emotional and physiological impact of witnessing or supporting those in trauma.
Trauma is catching. It doesn’t just affect individuals. It ripples through whole systems, families, teams, schools, and organisations. Research shows that secondary trauma is a real occupational hazard for those in the caring professions. Yet it often goes unseen, even though it can profoundly affect wellbeing, morale, and the capacity to stay present and effective in our work.
This course creates a safe, reflective space to explore how secondary trauma shows up in ourselves and our teams, and teaches what we can do to respond in healthy, sustainable ways. Drawing on current research and practical approaches, participants will learn how to recognise, understand, and mitigate the effects of secondary trauma while strengthening resilience, connection, and wellbeing across their networks.
Each course is tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the team I am working with.
What you’ll learn
Strategies for self-care, co-regulation, and creating healthy professional boundaries
The neurobiological and emotional processes that underpin stress and trauma exposure
What secondary trauma is and how it affects those in caring and support roles
Practical tools to recognise early signs of stress and compassion fatigue
How to build supportive, trauma-aware teams that prioritise wellbeing
How secondary trauma impacts teams, relationships, and organisational culture
Ways to foster joy, hope, and satisfaction in demanding roles
“Jo was brilliant in sharing her understanding of the impact of trauma on foster carers and our role. I felt she had so much empathy for individuals as well as a calm and gentle tone. I will put her strategies in place not only for ourselves but the children we support.
training recipient
Who’s it for
This training is for anyone working in close contact with people who have experienced trauma, including social workers, foster carers, teachers, youth workers, therapists, health professionals, and community workers.
It’s particularly valuable for teams and organisations that support children and young people affected by trauma and want to sustain their own wellbeing and effectiveness while doing so.
How it’s delivered
This training is available as a half-day or full-day session, delivered online or in-person, and always adapted to the needs of your team or organisation.
Sessions combine research-based learning, guided reflection, and practical skill-building, offering a balance of theory and experience that participants can immediately apply in their daily work.
Every workshop includes space for open discussion, questions, and shared learning, creating a supportive environment where participants can explore challenges safely and leave with renewed confidence and clarity.
For teams seeking deeper development, this course can also be delivered as part of a longer training series or staff development programme, with follow-up sessions to embed reflective, trauma-informed practices into everyday work.
About your trainer
I’m Jo McAndrews, a trainer and facilitator with over 30 years’ experience in education, family support and community work. My approach is grounded in psychology and trauma-informed practice, and shaped by many years of listening to what helps people feel safe enough to learn and grow together.
I work with teams across education, health and the voluntary sector to help build understanding and confidence in how we relate to one another. My sessions are engaging, reflective and restorative, helping people leave with both practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose in their work.
This work matters deeply to me. I bring warmth, curiosity and care to every organisation I work with.
Costs
My fees for training include preparation discussions and bespoke design, digital presentation handouts and post event debrief. Travel costs and overnight accommodation where needed will be added to this.
Please click the link below to learn more about costs for teams and organisations.
Let’s discuss your training needs
If you would like a chat about this course, or to discuss how I can meet your team or organisation’s needs, please use this form to get in touch