The chronic, repeated neglect and abuse experienced in early childhood by children that enter the care system causes long-term physical, psychological and emotional effects. Occurring during critical phases of development, including in utero, it disrupts attachments and alters brain development, often leading to challenges with emotional regulation, relationships and trust.

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Trauma in neurodivergent young people often stems from chronic, cumulative experiences, such as bullying, masking or sensory overload. It frequently presents as emotional shutdown, increased masking, severe burnout or intense meltdowns.

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There is a higher prevalence of neurodivergence among care-experienced children and young people and those living in kinship care.

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In education, health and social care, there is an increased focus on services becoming trauma informed, but many adoptive and kinship families and those with neurodivergent children have found that the difficulties their young people experience continue to be misunderstood, and that this often leads to parent blaming and re-traumatisation, undermining rather than supporting family security and resilience.

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At ATTACH-Manchester we seek to be truly trauma informed, recognising that, though there may be discernible patterns in various types of trauma, the effects and how they manifest are unique to the particular individual. We also understand that family members may experience vicarious, or secondary, trauma through parenting their traumatised children, which often leads to blocked care (see DDP), and that this may be compounded by trauma caused by navigating the systems that are designed to support them and their children.

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In all our work, we seek to support both the child or young person and the family unit. And we aim to build a shared understanding in the professional network in order to help them access the best possible support and outcomes. All our services are bespoke to the individual young person and their family.

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Vicarious trauma may also be experienced by staff, and so our structures and processes incorporate high levels of support, supervision and training for staff.

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All our staff are trained in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Practice (DDP), an approach developed specifically for developmentally traumatised children and their families. We use this approach, and the related approach of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) in our work with both young people and adults, including staff.

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See our resources on trauma and therapeutic approaches.

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