Trauma-informed practice (Berry Street Education Model)

Program details

Program description

The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) builds on Berry Street Victoria’s foundations of therapeutic and educational practice based on trauma-informed teaching and learning. Specifically, the Berry Street Education Model Early Childhood Education (BSEM ECE) program is a 15-hour training program on an evidence-informed trauma-informed approach that recognises that early learning settings are rich environments where children can develop the foundations they need to succeed in school and life.

The BSEM ECE course develops educators’ practice through a focus on trauma-informed strategies that promote the development of self-regulation and building strong, secure relationships in early childhood centres as a therapeutic milieu in which the learning environment itself is a powerful intervention for learning.

Through this training, Berry Street Victoria provides a toolkit of strategies that educators can practise and implement with their children and service directors and leaders can use to ensure a consistent approach to implementation, educator feedback and support.

Detailed cost

• BSEM ECE 2-day training: $3,600 (excluding GST) for up to 60 people
• BSEM ECE half-day training: $900 (excluding GST)
• Half-day consult (on request): $900 (excluding GST)
• BSEM ECE 90-minute webinar (3 webinars per module): $800 per webinar (excluding GST).

Additional costs for trainer expenses (e.g. travel, accommodation) will be charged at the market rate.

Implementation considerations

• Target population: early learning educators.
• Program/practice descriptions and details: the BSEM ECE is developmentally linked to the BSEM training for primary schools to ensure continuity of learning and consistent trauma-informed teacher strategies as children transition from early childhood services to primary schools which practice BSEM.
• Program adaptability: the 5 modules can be done separately in three-hour sessions extending across a time period determined by the service. The training can be delivered in person or online.
• Staffing: services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this resource.
• Factors to consider: time commitment for the training is 15 hours.
• Supervision/Coaching: continued support post-training from Berry Street in the form of their Alumni Community of Practice is available.
• Australian experience: BSEM ECE is available in both metropolitan and regional/rural areas across Victoria. The BSEM team works within a whole-community approach, working with early childhood services, primary schools and secondary schools to ensure practice consistency.
• Tools and systems: in-person training requires a suitable working space, a screen and speakers. Live webinars require participants to have access to their own computer with Zoom access.

VEYLDF alignment

The item uses these practice principles

• Partnerships with families
• Respectful relationships and responsive engagement

Item responds to these sub-outcomes

Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.