Overview
Children and adolescents who have suffered complex trauma are more likely to have difficulties concentrating in class, be withdrawn or disruptive to others. Complex trauma impacts the physical, emotional and social development of children and adolescents and they often have difficulties in their relationships with others. In order to minimise harm and provide support, teachers and school leaders need to respond with trauma-informed practices in their classroom or school.

Evolve with QUTeX
QUTeX develops the practical skills of educational professionals wanting to improve their performance in the classroom and advance their career. In undertaking this online module, you'll develop the skills needed to teach trauma-affected students and develop frameworks for your classroom or school.
As an education professional you’ll be able to discuss ways of opening conversations about trauma-informed strategies and understand the neuroscience behind their behaviours.
Who should participate?
This online module is designed for teaching staff and educational leaders who want to improve their professional practice and understand the impact of trauma and how to develop practices for students who have experienced it. It is also for health and social care workers with an interest in teaching children and adolescents affected by trauma.
For Australian educators, this module aligns with the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST):
1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students
1.2 Understand how students learn
1.5 Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities
3.5 Use effective classroom communication
4.1 Support student participation
4.3 Manage challenging behaviour
4.4 Maintain student safety 6 Engage in professional learning
This online module is open for international enrolments.

Your expert facilitators Associate Professor Judith Howard & Stephanie Curtis
Associate Professor Judith Howard is a QUT Senior Lecturer and behaviour specialist, with a career aim to assist schools adopt neuroscience-informed approach for supporting students experiencing complex trauma. Click here for more information on Judith Howard.
Stephanie Curtis has extensive experience as an educator, policy officer and manager in the state education department. Additionally, she works with private organisations that support young people to access and thrive in education settings. She has a particular interest in supporting students with social, emotional or behavioural needs, especially those with complex trauma histories.
Core concepts
This online module will give you an understanding of:
- the impact of trauma on particular students and those who support them
- the neuroscience behind complex-trauma influenced behaviour
- ways to open conversations and share resources about trauma-informed practices
- how to apply trauma-informed strategies and policies to minimise the risk to students and staff at your school.
Details
Where and when
This course will be held entirely online, via Blackboard, QUT's online learning platform.
When:
- 25 July - 21 August 2022
This self-paced course runs for 4 weeks (13 hours in total). Please allow approximately 3 hours per week to complete this course. Blackboard access will remain active for 2 weeks after the course.
Certification
For this online module you will be issued a Certificate of Attainment for 13 hours of CPD.
Cost
Registration Type | Cost |
---|---|
Early Bird Registration (closes 4 weeks prior to course) | $355.30 (including GST) |
Standard Registration | $418.00 (including GST) |
QUT Alumni / Student / Staff Registration* | $313.50 (including GST) |
Group Registration (4 or more)* | $355.30 (including GST) per person |
Registration closes 1 week prior to course commencement.
More details
Module Plus - Teaching students who have suffered complex trauma
Extend your learning with the Module Plus. In the Module Plus, participants will apply the knowledge they acquired in the first module by completing an authentic assessment that can be used in their workplace. On completion of the Module Plus, participants will also earn credit for a postgraduate unit. For more information, click here.
Get future fit. Fast.
Interested in other Education courses that follow the same format as this one? Explore each course below:
- Creating apps in the classroom and the Module Plus extension
- Inclusive education: Core concepts and essential knowledge and the Module Plus extension
- Inclusive strategies for the autism spectrum and the Module Plus extension
- Innovative Thinking for Teachers and School Leaders and the Module Plus extension
- Teaching phonics in Early Childhood and the Module Plus extension
- Teaching Students Who Have Suffered Complex Trauma and the Module Plus extension