SAEB Webinar: PTSD and Trauma in Safeguarding Practice (18.11.26)
Understanding PTSD and Trauma in Safeguarding Practice
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
Time: 12:30 – 13:30
Platform: Microsoft Teams
FREE ONLINE WEBINAR
Join Catherine Knights, Sarah Heke and Annie Billing from Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust for this practical webinar exploring trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their relevance to safeguarding practice.
Trauma can have a profound effect on how people experience risk, relationships and support. It may influence how someone communicates, responds to professionals, manages distress, or engages with services. Understanding these responses can help practitioners work with greater sensitivity, curiosity, and confidence.
This free online webinar will support professionals and volunteers working with adults in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster to recognise the signs and impact of trauma, understand the difference between trauma, PTSD and secondary traumatic stress, and apply trauma-informed approaches in safeguarding practice.
Who should attend?
This session is for all staff and volunteers who may come into contact with adults affected by trauma, including those working in adult safeguarding, social care, health, housing, mental health, community services, criminal justice, domestic abuse, and voluntary and community sector services.
Why this webinar matters
- Trauma can affect how a person understands risk, builds trust and engages with support.
- Signs of trauma or PTSD may be mistaken for disengagement, resistance or challenging behaviour.
- Professional curiosity and effective listening can help practitioners understand what may be happening beneath the presenting behaviour.
- Trauma-informed practice can reduce the risk of re-traumatisation and support safer, more effective responses.
- Multi-agency understanding is important when supporting people with complex emotional needs.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the difference between trauma, PTSD and secondary traumatic stress.
- Recognise the signs and impact of trauma in people we support.
- Understand how trauma may affect communication, behaviour, trust and engagement with services.
- Apply professional curiosity and effective listening when supporting people who have PTSD or have experienced trauma.
- Identify practical strategies and tools to strengthen multi-agency trauma-informed practice.
- Understand the role of the service and the complex emotional needs pathway.
Presenters
Catherine Knights - Director of Quality, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
Sarah Heke – Clinical Lead/Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
Annie Billing – Highly Specialist Psychological Therapist, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
Sign up here
Please reserve your place using the booking link and share this invitation with colleagues and partner organisations who may support adults affected by trauma.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at makingsafeguardingpersonal@