Secondary & Vicarious Trauma (Over 2 days - 13 & 14 Jan 2026, 9am -1pm)

The course will be delivered online over two days consisting of 2 x 4 hour sessions. You must be able to attend both dates.

This course will provide an insight into the psychological effects of working/listening to life stories and experiences of traumatised people or children and provide a range of strategies to look after your own (physical and mental) health and wellbeing.

The second session joining link will be given to those who attend the first session only.

Day One - 13 January 2026 ( 9am - 1pm)

-Define what is meant by secondary and vicarious trauma stress

-Explore compassion fatigue and burnout for practitioners working with children and young people

-Identify UK statistics of practitioners experiencing secondary trauma stress

-Explore the importance of empathy when working with adults, children and young people disclosing traumatic experiences

-Explore the impact of secondary trauma upon the emotional and mental health of practitioners working with adults, children and young people

Day Two - 14 January 2026 ( 9am - 1pm)

-List individual reactions of secondary trauma stress

-Identify defence mechanisms and psychological reactions to secondary trauma stress whilst working with adults, children and young people

-Introduce a tool kit to build resilience

-Discuss the importance of supervision and debriefing sessions

Handouts and electronic copies of the slides will be made available.

Certificates of Attendance are available on request.

Worker Voice

Your course will be delivered by an expert tutor who will guide you and your fellow workers on a three-stage journey during your course:

• Issues – how does this issue affect you and your colleagues?
• Ideas – what would make things better for you and your colleagues?
• Involvement – how can you and your colleagues get involve in making positive changes in your workplace, including through your trade union?

You will take part in activities that capture your voice and we will communicate the outcomes anonymously to UNISON local branches, self-organised groups and sectoral forums. This means voice on the subject is heard at the heart of your union’s democratic structures.

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Provider: Sue Galsworthy (JMG Consultancy)

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This course is organised by UNISON Cymru Wales and is funded by the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF). To attend this course, you must be living/working in Wales and be employed within public services.

This information will be securely stored and destroyed after one year. For more information on how UNISON uses your personal data, please go to: https://www.unison.org.uk/privacy-policy