Psychological First Aid for Educational Psychologists
Teachers, teaching assistants, administration staff working in schools, and pupils of all ages, are sometimes faced with incidents and situations that most people would find traumatic. The majority of those affected, adults and children, are likely to experience some adverse reactions to such incidents. Where pupils are directly afffected, they would usually be provided with appropriate support by those familiar to them, such as their teacher or other school staff.
Incidents directly affecting teachers or other staff, should engender support, usually from an external source, such as the Educational Psychology service of the local authority.
In any event, all staff involved in supporting pupils should be supported in that work by Educational Psychologists, to assist them in the practice of providing support and to help them manage the stress caused by providing support to upset and stressed pupils.
PFA For Educational Psychologists
Training Course Details
Traumatic incidents are very varied and may include assaults on teachers or other staff, sudden death of Teachers or other staff, violent crime on or near to school premises or incidents involving children, perhaps away from school premises. In the majority of situations support for children affected by such incidents would be provided by Teachers or other school staff, but if the incident has affected the Teachers or staff themselves, support will usually be provided by Educational Psychologists.
Most of those affected by traumatic incidents and situations are likely to experience some form of adverse reaction to the incident and that reaction may be quite minor or may be very debilitating. The majority of people, adults or children, are likely to benefit from some form of support, help or care.
Staff should be provided with Psychosocial Care appropriate to the circumstances, so as to provide adequate support, minimise the psychosocial impact on them and ensure that the small number who may require it, are referred to mental health professionals for counselling. Those designated to provide this support should be trained in using the principles and skills of Psychological First Aid (PFA), delivered with the use of good interpersonal skills and empathy.
In July 2009 the Department of Health issued an Emergency Planning guidance document entitled ‘Planning for the Psychosocial and Mental Health Care of People Affected by Major Incidents and Disasters.’ This guidance is based on the latest available empirical evidence and PFA has recently been recommended for supporting those affected by trauma by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (IRCRC). The Guidance makes it clear that the support may be provided by trained and supervised personnel, who are not mental health professionals. These supporters may be provided by an external provider or by Educational Psychologists who have been trained in providing PFA , whose work brings them into contact with staff in schools and will often be familiar to staff.
The purpose is to allow staff to talk about what has happened, to check and advise on the reactions they are experiencing and to consider what form of longer-term support should be provided. This support is delivered by using the skills of Psychological First Aid.
At the conclusion of the training participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the Government model of providing Psychosocial Care and Psychological First Aid (PFA) following traumatic incidents in an educational context when supporting teachers and other staff in schools.
- Recognise typical Post Trauma Reactions and the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Recognise how fears and other reactions to the COVID-19 Pandemic are likely to affect children and their teachers in schools
- Conduct an appropriate Defusing session with those working in schools who are affected by traumatic incidents
- Conduct an appropriate Psychological First Aid Session with those working in schools who are affected by traumatic incidents
- Assist staff in recognising and managing Compassion Fatigue and Burnout
- Assist all staff in schools in applying the skills of Psychological First Aid when a traumatic incident has affected pupils
- Provide continuing support for staff working in schools who are affected by traumatic incidents
- Suggest a variety of practical ways of reducing the impact of typical staff reactions to trauma and the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Utilise the skills of Psychological First Aid in providing support for their colleagues when they are affected by their work
Organising Training
This training has been designed to be run ‘In-House’ on behalf of Local Authority Educational Psychology services. However, in the present Covid 19 situation it is also offered as an ‘On-Line’ option, using any of the usual video conferencing platforms. In either option it is delivered as a one day course. It has been delivered several times for Southampton City Council Psychology department has received excellent feedback.
To discuss how we might tailor this training most appropriately for your needs please contact Gerry on: or telephone on 0118 973 1546 or 0781 841 0254.
Feedback from our clients
- Facilitation via Zoom and breakout rooms worked really well given current limitations.
- Anecdotal stories based on Gerry’s previous experience were interesting and relevant and helped illustrate the points he was making.
- Humorous style and relaxed delivery welcomed.
- Good balance of facilitator input, case studies and group discussion.
- Calm and well-paced delivery and good humoured.
- Clear and good at keeping everyone involved.
- Excellent content and facilitation in difficult/different circumstance –well done and thanks Gerry.
- The break halfway through each session was really helpful. Working online requires a different level of concentration so a break is important.
Feedback from Consultant Doctors following recent training for Health Education England