Scottish-led Trauma Support course, created with and for young people, launches UK-wide

A powerful new training course, co-created with care-experienced young people and professionals from across Scotland, is being rolled out UK-wide to help adults better support children and young people affected by trauma. 

Developed by The Open University in Scotland and Staf (Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum), the Foundations of Trauma-Informed, Relationship-Based Practice course is a free, flexible and inclusive online resource for everyone, no matter their role or background. Tailored to fit around busy professional lives, the course takes just four hours to complete and is designed to work across education, social care, housing, health, and community settings. 

After launching in Scotland in April 2025, the course has been widely acclaimed and is earning five-star reviews on The Open University’s OpenLearn platform. More than 370 professionals have already signed up, with over 145 completing the CPD-accredited course. Learners are praising its practical impact, flexible structure and immediate relevance to their work with children and young people. 

Jane Grant, Depute Director of External Engagement and Partnerships at The Open University in Scotland, said: 

“Trauma-informed, relationship-based practice isn’t just professional development, it’s essential for anyone supporting young people. With two in three children in Scotland experiencing at least one adverse childhood experience before the age of eight, we know how urgent the need is. We’ve created something that’s practical, rooted in lived experience, and flexible enough to fit busy lives. We're proud it began in Scotland and proud to now offer it across the UK.” 

Entirely self-paced, the course explores the emotional, behavioural and developmental impacts of trauma and offers actionable techniques for building trust and supporting children and young people more effectively. Co-produced with care-experienced young people, it also draws on expertise of a care-experienced social worker, educational psychologist, educational lead and expert partners including East Lothian Council, Duncanrig Secondary School and Each & Every Child. 

Pamela Graham, Head of Operations at Staf, said 

"We at Staf know that trauma affects everyone, we also understand that it disproportionately affects children and young people whose lives are touched by the care system. We also know that relationship-based practice and being a champion for care-experienced young people is central to overcoming trauma.

“Interest in the course has been incredibly positive, with new sign-ups happening daily. We are very proud that this course is based on the lived experience of care that will support the learning and development of anyone interested in deepening their understanding of trauma and relationship-based practice." 

We’ve created something that’s practical, rooted in lived experience, and flexible enough to fit busy lives."
Jane Grant The Open University in Scotland

To increase accessibility, an easy-read version will also be launched as part of the national rollout, ensuring it works for people with different learning needs and literacy levels. Posters and bookmarks are also now available UK-wide to assist in raising awareness of the course amongst relevant professionals. 

Maya Douglas, a youth worker from Fife who completed the course, shared: 

“It’s short and online -but the impact lasts. It helped me see young people differently and change how I respond in real time. This should be essential learning for anyone who works with young people.” 

Across the UK, there is growing recognition of the urgent need for trauma-informed approaches in education, care, housing, and health. In Scotland alone, two in three children will experience at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) before age eight, with one in ten facing three or more, significantly increasing the risk of poor mental health and long-term disadvantage. These experiences can have lasting effects on how young people relate to adults and services. Yet many professionals lack access to relevant, inclusive training. 

This course has been created to help address the knowledge gap, offering a free, practical and flexible introduction to trauma-aware, relationship-based practice. The Foundations of Trauma-Informed, Relationship-Based Practice course is now open to everyone across the UK and is available online through The Open University’s OpenLearn platform.

23 July 2025