This is the first course in the series Developmental Trauma:The Evidence Base, which concerns leading edge research and practice in the field of developmental trauma.

Within this course, we focus on the evidence.

We provide an introduction to the contemporary knowledge base of developmental trauma theory, and how this can inform practice, trauma-informed practice.

The course, and the body of work it references, is developed and prepared by practitioners working by children who live with trauma and who seek to help them recover.

This learning is grounded in child psychology, attachment theory, neuroscience and applied practice.

Participants will learn why it's important to know about developmental trauma, why and how it manifests and the effects it has on the children they care for.

The course intends to provide a knowledge base that informs, challenges and encourages reflection about participants' own practices.

Each of the four lessons within the course contains overlapping themes, but an individual focus. It is intended for participants to access them interchangeably, returning to previous sections with new context for non-linear integration of the subject matter.

• Lesson 1 focuses on exploring the definitions and meaning of the terms trauma and developmental trauma, and their relevance to the lives of children who are in public care.

• Lesson 2 focuses on what the current research tells us. It provides an opportunity to consider the role of the developing brain from a neuroscience perspective.

• Lesson 3 focuses on how we can help, linking the theory to actionable practice.

• Lesson 4 further examines the journey of trauma recovery, and what works in supporting and facilitating it.