Children and young people living in out-of-home care can often present with a range of behaviours that can seem confusing, terrifying, infuriating, or exhausting to the adults in their lives doing their best to support them. The question is, why do children behave the way they do, and how can we help them meet their needs in a more positive way?
 

This workshop uses the latest research and best practice to inform practical trauma-informed strategies for responding to behaviours that challenge. Children use behaviours to communicate their needs, so trauma-informed responses must target meeting those needs and supporting alternative ways to communicate in future. This session encourages us to reflect on our own areas of sensitivity and tolerance and the language we use to frame children expressing their needs, as well as developing behavioural intervention strategies that prioritise safety by meeting the children’s needs.
 

Dan Howell is our Senior Manager of Training, managing the training activities of the Centre including the redevelopment of accredited qualifications and non-accredited training to high quality online offerings.

Dan is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked extensively with children and young people who have experienced trauma and those who display harmful sexual behaviour. Dan has worked therapeutically with varying presentations including sibling sexual abuse, harmful sexual behaviour, and sexual exploitation and abuse.

Dan commenced his career in youth justice case management and has managed the Northern Territory Therapeutic Services program, including the Strong Ways youth justice program. Dan supports Youth Justice and OOHC across Australia with consultation, training, and reflective practice.