Supporting children and young people with trauma

Many kinship children experience trauma. Here’s how to recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma, as well as practical tips for supporting children in kinship care.

This advice applies to: England and Wales

Join a free workshop on this subject

We’re running a number of workshops on supporting children and young people with trauma, both in person and online. These are free to join and aimed at kinship carers living in England.

Kinship carers are family or friends who step up to care for a child when their parents aren’t able to. Often during an unexpected crisis.

And in that moment a commitment is made. To bring love and hope to a child who has experienced trauma, no matter what.

Supporting a child through trauma can be tough emotionally. You may have experienced trauma yourself at some point in your life. Helping a child through trauma can bring back painful memories and feelings so it’s important to recognise this, acknowledge it and get support for yourself.

You may find it helpful to speak to someone who knows what you’re going through. Get advice, join a peer support group or speak to someone like you.

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Types of trauma experienced in childhood are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. The more ACEs a child experiences, the higher the likelihood of physical and mental health issues. Examples of experiences that could result in childhood trauma are:

  • being exposed to violence, either as a witness or a victim
  • the death of a loved one or prolonged separation from family
  • being involved in, or witnessing, a serious accident or life-threatening situation
  • experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and neglect
  • problems at home, such as divorce, domestic violence, or substance abuse
  • 54% of kinship carers said their children had experienced abuse or neglect before coming to live with them (Cost of Loving, 2022)

Generational or intergenerational trauma

This is a type of trauma that is passed down through generations within a family, culture, or group. A parent, or carer, who is experiencing trauma from the past can influence the mental health of the children in their care. Generational or intergenerational trauma shapes the environment in which a child is raised.

Secondary trauma

Secondary trauma is indirect exposure to trauma through close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event. For example, a child is not being abused directly, but they are often a witness to the domestic abuse of their mother.

If trauma is causing significant and ongoing distress or harm to your child, seek professional help. If anyone is in immediate risk of harm, phone 999 for urgent help. 

There are several organisations that offer information, advice or support around mental health and/or trauma.  

YoungMinds is a national charity offering mental health support and advice for young people and parents. Their Parents Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4pm. Call them on 0808 802 5544. Or you can chat to them online.

Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support. If you are struggling to cope, talk to their trained Shout Volunteers. To start a conversation, text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258. 

Anna Freud is a charity that has been supporting children and young people’s mental health for over 70 years. They have several resources on their website to help with trauma.

Parent Talk provides free and confidential online chat support for parents and carers in the UK. Chat on webchat or on WhatsApp.

Childline is a free service for children and young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. No problem is too big or too small. The service is available 24/7, 7 days a week. Call 116 111 or chat online.