Session Outline

Students arrive at university with diverse life experiences that shape how they engage with learning and the wider academic community. For some, prior adversity or challenging circumstances may limit their capacity to participate effectively (Wells, 2023), leading to a perception that they are disengaged or disruptive (Henshaw, 2022). This can leave tutors feeling ill-equipped or uncertain how to respond effectively (Nienke, 2025). Trauma-informed practice offers a framework for understanding behaviour without assuming a therapeutic role (McChesney, 2024).

This interactive workshop will explore trauma-informed personal tutoring can move beyond deficit-based interpretations of behaviour and instead build psychological safety. By centring trust and relationships, tutors can strengthen students’ sense of belonging and reinforce that they matter (Cherry, 2025). Crucially, participants will be invited to consider how to balance support with appropriate challenge, enabling growth and resilience (Bodfield & Culshaw, 2024). Participants will examine key principles of trauma-informed practice (SAMHSA, 2014; OHID, 2022) and discuss practical ways to embed them in personal tutoring.

We begin by exploring the concept of trauma, how it manifests in university settings, and the ways it can shape students’ sense of belonging and mattering. Participants will engage with short interactive activities to reflect on the impact of trauma on behaviour and learning.

We then examine how principles such as safety, trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment and cultural awareness can be meaningfully applied within tutoring relationships. Through small-group discussion, attendees will identify what these principles might look like in practice and identify potential barriers or tensions within HE structures.

Building on this foundation, the workshop will showcase a range of practical, trauma-informed approaches relevant to tutoring. Participants will reflect individually on strategies that resonate with their own context and then share insights with peers to develop realistic, context-sensitive ideas for change.

The session concludes by guiding participants to identify concrete next steps: a small change they can implement immediately, a longer-term shift they would like to make, and any support or training they may need. Resources will be shared, with opportunities for final questions and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

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