Trauma Informed Practice

Do you interact or support with children and young people in the ACT, or design services and spaces for them?

The ACT Government now has a Position Statement on Trauma Informed Practice for Children and Young People.

The statement sets out the guiding principles in trauma informed practice and provides examples of how services can be trauma aware while responding to children and young people in a safe way.

International studies estimate that 62-68 per cent of young people will have been exposed to at least one traumatic event by the age of 17.

One of the core principles adopted in the trauma informed lens is that trauma must be seen as the expectation, not the exception.

Coordinator-General Mental Health and Wellbeing, Dr Elizabeth Moore said, “by using trauma informed practices in all settings in the ACT with children and young people, everyone can help a child feel safe and build trust”.

The position statement has been led by the Youth at Risk project team in the Health Directorate.

Find out more:  ACT Position Statement on Trauma Informed Practices for Children and Young People.

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Page updated: 03 Feb 2026