The power of trauma-informed education and its potential for residential communities
Tracks
Stream 3
| Tuesday, August 6, 2024 |
| 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Gallery 4 |
Overview
Cam Bestwick
Details
This workshop provides an introductory presentation on the key concepts of neurodiversity and neuro-affirming practice within the context of student accommodation settings. It will feature a case study of Janet Clarke Hall, highlighting opportunities and challenges identified by students and staff alike. The second half of the workshop invites a generative discussion and creative ideation session on how these concepts can be applied in our respective communities. Attendees will leave having identified at least one practical, achievable change they can make ahead of the 2025 academic year.
Speaker
Mr Cam Bestwick
Swick Learning
The power of trauma-informed education and its potential for residential communities
Abstract Overview
The use of trauma-informed approaches to education has grown rapidly over the past decade alongside the recognition that its key tenets – such as creating safe and inclusive communities, fostering relational trust, and promoting self-regulation and resilience – benefits all students, not just those who are striving to overcome the impacts of trauma.
However, the opportunity to apply these strategies residential settings within tertiary education institutions remains largely unexplored. This workshop seeks to bridge this gap by examining the applicability of the most relevant strategies from trauma-informed education to the preventative and reactive aspects of providing pastoral care in student accommodation.
In this interactive workshop, participants will be guided through the key principles and methodologies of trauma-informed education to gain a working understanding of its core components and their real-world applications. They will then connect these strategies to the nuanced challenges of supporting residential students through discussion and collaborative activities. Finally, participants will identify practical steps to move their own communities towards more trauma-informed approaches.
Central to our exploration will be the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). BSEM is considered the leading framework for trauma-informed education in Australia, with more than 10,000 educators being trained the Model each year. BSEM draws on research in multi-disciplinary fields of education, neurobiology, therapeutics and education psychology. It also benefits from Berry Street’s experience as one of Australia’s most comprehensive social care agencies supporting vulnerable young people and their families through an integrated approach to therapeutics, case management, out of home care provision, and education.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to apply trauma-informed principles to the challenges of tertiary residential life. Attendees will be encouraged to actively participate and share insights from their own experiences.
However, the opportunity to apply these strategies residential settings within tertiary education institutions remains largely unexplored. This workshop seeks to bridge this gap by examining the applicability of the most relevant strategies from trauma-informed education to the preventative and reactive aspects of providing pastoral care in student accommodation.
In this interactive workshop, participants will be guided through the key principles and methodologies of trauma-informed education to gain a working understanding of its core components and their real-world applications. They will then connect these strategies to the nuanced challenges of supporting residential students through discussion and collaborative activities. Finally, participants will identify practical steps to move their own communities towards more trauma-informed approaches.
Central to our exploration will be the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). BSEM is considered the leading framework for trauma-informed education in Australia, with more than 10,000 educators being trained the Model each year. BSEM draws on research in multi-disciplinary fields of education, neurobiology, therapeutics and education psychology. It also benefits from Berry Street’s experience as one of Australia’s most comprehensive social care agencies supporting vulnerable young people and their families through an integrated approach to therapeutics, case management, out of home care provision, and education.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to apply trauma-informed principles to the challenges of tertiary residential life. Attendees will be encouraged to actively participate and share insights from their own experiences.
Biography
Cam Bestwick is the Senior Manager of School Development and Growth Strategy at Berry Street, which is Victoria’s largest independent community services organisation. Berry Street is a leading voice in trauma-informed education, given the deep expertise it has accrued from partnering with thousands of schools across Australia and internationally to improve their practice, while also operating a number of complex education services, including its own network of specialised secondary school campuses throughout Victoria.
Cam has extensive experience in the student accommodation sector, having held leadership roles encompassing both educational and commercial aspects of the profession in three different states, and serving in leadership roles for peak bodies such as APSAA. Cam led the University of Melbourne’s new student accommodation portfolio from 2019 to 2023 before joining Berry Street.
