Maria Taylor

 Explore the journey to becoming a trauma-informed school, where the unique needs of students affected by trauma are understood, and compassionate, supportive practices are embedded throughout the school culture.  

By fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and emotional safety, schools can move away from punitive measures and towards restorative, supportive approaches that benefit both students and staff. This keynote will provide a roadmap for reducing restrictive practices while promoting a positive, nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

 

Ensuring the safety of students extends far beyond physical security measures. This keynote addresses the comprehensive framework needed to create truly safer schools, focusing on four key areas of safety: physical, emotional, relational, and psychological well-being. Schools that prioritise all aspects of safety create an environment where students not only feel protected but are empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

 

Student behaviour and mental health are deeply interconnected, impacting not only individual well-being but also academic performance and the overall school environment. This keynote will provide staff with essential insights into the relationship between behaviour and mental health, and how understanding this connection can improve student outcomes.

This keynote addresses a pressing issue in education, health & social care: the link between organisational distress and the overuse or misuse of restrictive practices, such as restraint and seclusion. Organisational distress—characterised by high levels of stress, dysfunction, and lack of support within an establishment—often leads to reactive and harmful behaviour management approaches that can traumatise students, patients, residents and staff alike.