Nursery World - Why we must redouble our efforts to help children affected by trauma

More than one in three children will experience trauma, which is why training early years workers on how to identify the signs is vital, says Michael Samuel

Michael Samuel: 'it is worrying that the prevalence of trauma in young people is high'

When we think back to the period since last March, when the first lockdown was announced, it’s been such a difficult time for so many.

Almost 130,000 people have died from Covid and millions have been unwell. Almost everyone’s life has been diminished in one way, shape or form. Most of us have experienced greater level of stress, and for some that has meant an increased experience of trauma.

Trauma is a subject that has long fascinated me, and it’s one that the Anna Freud Centre, the charity I chair, has a particular focus on.

Trauma can be caused by a range of experiences and occurrences. It may be triggered by neglect, abuse, or violence, or in other cases it may be a single event such as an accident, bereavement or natural disaster that has longer-term harmful effects.

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