Trauma Perceptive Practice
Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP) is the Essex approach to understanding behaviour and supporting emotional wellbeing in children and young people and is the approach adopted by Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust.
Over the last twenty years there has been a huge growth in our knowledge about the formation of our brain and how it is affected by our childhood experiences. Adversity during childhood can have long lasting effects on how children and young people’s brains and bodies develop, with implications for behaviour, health and achievement seen well into adulthood.
This 'Brain Builders' video explains how experiences in the first years of our lives affect how our brains form. Science tells us that the stress of abuse or neglect can damage the basic structures of a child's developing brain. Without the right help, it can put them at risk of a lifetime of health problems, developmental issues and addiction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMyDFYSkZSU
The trauma informed approach, whilst supportive of those who have experienced challenge, trauma and adversity, is also an approach which has a multitude of benefits for all pupils and adults in our trust.
TPP focuses on understanding the stress response and how important it is for us to teach and practice self-regulation and resilience.
TPP is a relationship driven model for behaviour management and has the underlying belief that most behaviour is needs driven and applies to both children and adults.
A TPP approach should lead adults to offer different, alternative and more helpful responses to difficulties and challenges with relationships and behaviour which will ensure interactions are supportive and nurturing, rather than negative.
Within the TPP approach, it is important to remember the importance of consequences, the use of restorative approaches and optimism. TPP is not a softly, softly, approach to behaviour management. It helps to build resilience and self-esteem. It works towards strengthening relationships through repair.
All staff at St John's CofE Primary School have received Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP) training.
We expect our staff to demonstrate the core values of TPP principles with our pupils. TPP principles are reflected in our Behaviour Policy which recognises that the good relationships we create with children will have the greatest influence on their interactions with us and one another.
We promote an environment which encourages a sense of belonging, the development of safe and trusted relationships and the building of resilience. TPP creates an underlying culture of mutual respect and support where we practice:
- Compassion and kindness instead of blame and shame
- Hope instead of hopelessness
- Connection and belonging rather than disconnection
You can read more about TPP in the leaflet below.