OUR TRAINING
Behaviours that challenge: What lies beneath stealing and lying
Introduction
This workshop is part of our ‘Behaviours that challenge’ workshop series. Attendance at the foundational “Behaviours that challenge: What lies beneath” workshop is required before attending this workshop.
Children and young people who have experienced trauma can often present with behaviours that leave the adults who support and care for them feeling confused, frustrated, worried or overwhelmed. Lying and stealing are often perceived through a lens of manipulation, defiance or dishonesty, yet contemporary research in trauma, attachment and neurobiology suggests that such behaviours may be deeply rooted in experiences of relational disruption, shame, fear and unmet needs.
A trauma-informed perspective invites a shift from asking “What is wrong with this behaviour?” to “What is this behaviour communicating?” Rather than viewing lying and stealing as signs of a “dishonest or defiant” child, this workshop positions these behaviours as adaptive strategies that are used as attempts to survive, preserve relationships, regulate internal states or meet unmet needs. Behaviour is a form of communication, and understanding what lies beneath the surface enables adults to respond in ways that cultivate safety, trust and connection.
As parents, carers or professionals, we may find ourselves holding strong emotional responses to children and young people who engage in lying and stealing. Feelings of frustration, uncertainty, protectiveness or concern can influence the assumptions we make and impact our responses to children and young people. Creating reflective space to examine our own beliefs, values and the language we use is essential to supporting the development of responses that are thoughtful, relational and attuned to the needs of children and young people.
Together, we will apply the Behaviours that challenge framework to the subject of lying and stealing. Drawing on contemporary understandings of trauma, this workshop examines the developmental, relational and neurobiological drivers that may underpin lying and stealing. Participants will explore how adversity, loss and disrupted attachment systems influence behaviour, and how these behaviours that challenge - lying and stealing - may represent attempts to restore safety, connection or control for children and young people. Participants will strengthen their capacity to move beyond behaviour management and develop practical, trauma-informed responses that promote relational safety, connection, accountability and repair.
This workshop explores what lies beneath lying and stealing in children and young people who have experienced trauma, building a deeper understanding of the needs behind these behaviours and ways to respond that promote safety, connection and repair. This workshop builds on the foundations of “Behaviours that Challenge: What Lies Beneath”.
About the facilitator
This training is delivered by experienced professional trainers with expertise and experience in trauma-informed intervention and practice. Our trainers have a strong understanding of trauma and its impact on children and families, translating this knowledge into practice in a range of professional contexts. A focus on application to practice via discussion and strategy is a core component of the workshop.
Children and young people who have experienced trauma can often present with behaviours that leave the adults who support and care for them feeling confused, frustrated, worried or overwhelmed. Lying and stealing are often perceived through a lens of manipulation, defiance or dishonesty, yet contemporary research in trauma, attachment and neurobiology suggests that such behaviours may be deeply rooted in experiences of relational disruption, shame, fear and unmet needs.
A trauma-informed perspective invites a shift from asking “What is wrong with this behaviour?” to “What is this behaviour communicating?” Rather than viewing lying and stealing as signs of a “dishonest or defiant” child, this workshop positions these behaviours as adaptive strategies that are used as attempts to survive, preserve relationships, regulate internal states or meet unmet needs. Behaviour is a form of communication, and understanding what lies beneath the surface enables adults to respond in ways that cultivate safety, trust and connection.
As parents, carers or professionals, we may find ourselves holding strong emotional responses to children and young people who engage in lying and stealing. Feelings of frustration, uncertainty, protectiveness or concern can influence the assumptions we make and impact our responses to children and young people. Creating reflective space to examine our own beliefs, values and the language we use is essential to supporting the development of responses that are thoughtful, relational and attuned to the needs of children and young people.
Together, we will apply the Behaviours that challenge framework to the subject of lying and stealing. Drawing on contemporary understandings of trauma, this workshop examines the developmental, relational and neurobiological drivers that may underpin lying and stealing. Participants will explore how adversity, loss and disrupted attachment systems influence behaviour, and how these behaviours that challenge - lying and stealing - may represent attempts to restore safety, connection or control for children and young people. Participants will strengthen their capacity to move beyond behaviour management and develop practical, trauma-informed responses that promote relational safety, connection, accountability and repair.
This workshop explores what lies beneath lying and stealing in children and young people who have experienced trauma, building a deeper understanding of the needs behind these behaviours and ways to respond that promote safety, connection and repair. This workshop builds on the foundations of “Behaviours that Challenge: What Lies Beneath”.
About the facilitator
This training is delivered by experienced professional trainers with expertise and experience in trauma-informed intervention and practice. Our trainers have a strong understanding of trauma and its impact on children and families, translating this knowledge into practice in a range of professional contexts. A focus on application to practice via discussion and strategy is a core component of the workshop.
Target audience
This workshop is aimed at people working with and caring for children and young people who have experienced trauma, including child protection practitioners, mental health and allied health professionals and other therapeutic practitioners, educators and early-learning staff, family support services, and out-of-home care staff.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the unmet needs and neurobiological drivers that lie beneath lying and stealing for children who have experienced trauma and attachment disruption.
- Explore alternative ways to respond to children that promote safety, connection and repair; and support carers and parents to be more shame responsive
- Apply the “Behaviours that challenge” framework to responding to lying and stealing
Learning methods
1 hour virtual workshop
Please note: all course and workshop times are displayed in Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra time zones. Please ensure you convert the time to your current time zone. All workshop payments must be made by credit card. Invoicing is only available for group bookings of 5 or more for the same workshop date. Contact us through support@childhood.org.au for group bookings.
Please note: all course and workshop times are displayed in Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra time zones. Please ensure you convert the time to your current time zone. All workshop payments must be made by credit card. Invoicing is only available for group bookings of 5 or more for the same workshop date. Contact us through support@childhood.org.au for group bookings.
Virtual workshop
| Name | Date | Time | Cost | Register |
| Behaviours that challenge: What lies beneath lying and stealing | 10 September 2026 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | $60.00 | |
| Behaviours that challenge: What lies beneath lying and stealing | 18 November 2026 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | $60.00 |
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We are always working to meet your needs. Register your inquiry for this or other training services we provide and we will contact you as soon as we can, or phone us on 1300 381 581. All payments must be made by credit card; invoicing is only available for group bookings of 5 or more for the same date. Workshop times are displayed in Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra time zones. For safety reasons and to maximise learning, we ask that all attendees have their cameras turned on during virtual workshops.
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