Workshops For Care & Residential Settings
Workshops can be delivered in your setting or offsite. They can stand alone or form part of a wider development programme. Each programme begins with understanding your setting, who you support, the challenges you face, and where you are on your journey, so the training is always grounded in real context.
Evening and weekend delivery is available for residential settings.
These Workshops Are Created For:
Children’s residential homes (Ofsted registered), Foster care and kinship care agencies, Adult supported living and residential care, Therapeutic communities, Adoption support services, Charities and voluntary sector organisations working with vulnerable people.
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA: THE IMPACT ON BRAIN, BODY AND BEHAVIOUR
Duration: Full Day
This is the essential foundation. The session explores what trauma is, what ACEs are and why they matter, how the brain and nervous system respond to threat, and what that means for behaviour.
Staff leave with a transformed understanding of the people they support — and of themselves.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand what trauma and ACEs are, and why they matter
- Explore how the brain and nervous system respond to threat
- Recognise how trauma shapes behaviour and coping strategies
- Develop a more compassionate, informed lens for understanding behaviour
- Feel more confident responding in ways that support regulation and safety
BEHAVIOUR AS COMMUNICATION
Duration: 2.5 hours
What is the behaviour in your setting actually telling you?
This workshop supports staff to become curious investigators rather than reactive responders — exploring unmet needs, stress responses, and survival strategies underneath the surface.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Reframe behaviour as communication
- Learn a clear behaviour detective framework for observation and reflection
- Identify common trauma-driven behaviour patterns
- Understand triggers, stress responses and survival behaviours
- Develop practical, connection-led responses that reduce escalation
ATTACHMENT AND THE PEOPLE IN OUR CARE
Duration: 2.5 hours
This session explores how early relational experiences shape how people seek connection, respond to care, and experience relationships with staff.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand different attachment patterns (secure to disorganised)
- Explore how attachment impacts behaviour and relationships
- Recognise how past experiences show up in present interactions
- Develop more attuned, relational responses
- Feel more confident supporting connection and trust
FELT SAFETY: CREATING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE PEOPLE CAN SETTLE
Duration: 2 hours
Safety isn’t something we can simply declare — it’s something the nervous system has to feel. This workshop explores what felt safety looks like in practice and how to create it.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand the concept of felt safety
- Explore how environment, relationships, and routines impact safety
- Recognise signs of safety and dysregulation
- Learn practical ways to create safe, supportive environments
- Feel more confident supporting calm and regulation
SHAME AND ITS IMPACT IN CARE SETTINGS
Duration: 2.5 hours
This session explores how shame develops, how it shows up in care settings, and how connection and empathy can repair it.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand what shame is and how it develops
- Recognise shame-based behaviours and responses
- Reflect on systems and practices that may reinforce shame
- Learn how empathy and connection act as antidotes
- Feel more confident supporting individuals with shame-based experiences
THE TRAUMA RESPONSIVE JOURNEY: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Duration: half day – includes audit tool
A reflective session using the Connection Counts Trauma Responsive Journey Audit Tool to assess current practice and plan next steps.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand the stages of a trauma-responsive journey
- Reflect honestly on current practice and culture
- Identify strengths and areas for development
- Use the audit tool to guide discussion and planning
- Leave with clear, actionable next steps