Session 3C
Tracks
Track 3
| Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| 2:00 PM - 3:35 PM |
| Meeting room P6, Plaza Level |
Overview
Meeting room P6
Speaker
Mr Sean Lappin
Head Of Impact
Junction Australia
Doing and being safe: Listening and collaborating with children about safety in trauma-aware education
2:00 PM - 3:35 PMAbstract
This masterclass presents research findings and offers practice guidance for listening to children and creating safety in trauma-aware education.
Creating schools where children feel safe is a central goal of trauma aware education. Safety is essential for the prevention and healing of trauma. However, safety is a multifaceted, contextual, and abstract concept that is subjectively experienced. Therefore, to create safe schools for students, we need to involve children and young people in exploring contextual experiences of safety. Attendees of this master class will (1) hear from young participant-researchers, and (2) participate in experiential activities designed by Connected Self Wellbeing Services that support deep exploration of the experience of doing and being safe in school. Participants will walk away with new ideas, practices, and challenging questions to listen to and promote children’s experiences of safety.
The Trauma Aware School Village (TASV) is a pilot intervention taking a Tier 1 whole-of-school approach to trauma-aware education in primary schools. Children’s experiences of safety were prioritised and investigated through a classroom-based program for students, as well as creative research methods supported by participant researchers.
This master class will present the findings and practices from TASV that centre around ‘doing’ safe and ‘being’ safe. These findings challenge the assumption that school spaces are safe, or even neutral, and instead argue that trauma-aware education must include creating physical and social spaces that enable children to do safe things as well as be (and feel) safe.
Creating schools where children feel safe is a central goal of trauma aware education. Safety is essential for the prevention and healing of trauma. However, safety is a multifaceted, contextual, and abstract concept that is subjectively experienced. Therefore, to create safe schools for students, we need to involve children and young people in exploring contextual experiences of safety. Attendees of this master class will (1) hear from young participant-researchers, and (2) participate in experiential activities designed by Connected Self Wellbeing Services that support deep exploration of the experience of doing and being safe in school. Participants will walk away with new ideas, practices, and challenging questions to listen to and promote children’s experiences of safety.
The Trauma Aware School Village (TASV) is a pilot intervention taking a Tier 1 whole-of-school approach to trauma-aware education in primary schools. Children’s experiences of safety were prioritised and investigated through a classroom-based program for students, as well as creative research methods supported by participant researchers.
This master class will present the findings and practices from TASV that centre around ‘doing’ safe and ‘being’ safe. These findings challenge the assumption that school spaces are safe, or even neutral, and instead argue that trauma-aware education must include creating physical and social spaces that enable children to do safe things as well as be (and feel) safe.
Biography
Sean’s journey to Junction spans 30 years with experience in advocacy, social policy, innovation, research and strategic planning across the areas of youth homelessness and youth justice, out of home care, mental health and disability.
He has been Managing Director of Connected Self Wellbeing Services since 2011 and previously held senior leadership positions at Mission Australia and in the SA public sector.
Sean holds a Masters, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Graduate Certificate – Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Certificate in Management from University of Adelaide and a Diploma in Youth Work. He has also studied psychology at the undergraduate level and undertaken a range of training programs in leadership, coaching and trauma responsive approaches.
Ms Cath Lappin
Managing Director, Senior Art Therapist
Connected Self
Co-presenter
Biography
Cath Lappin is the Managing Director of Connected Self, with more than 30 years' experience in the arts and wellbeing sectors. A qualified Art Therapist, Play Therapist and Clay Field Therapist, she has spent 15 years supporting children, young people and adults impacted by developmental trauma. This includes working extensively in embedded therapeutic roles within schools. Cath is passionate about the Connected Self community and leading innovative, evidence-informed approaches that strengthen wellbeing, resilience, connection and healing across the lifespan.
Ms Julia Goldsworthy
Trainer, Project Lead, Youth Practitioner
Connected Self
Co-presenter
Biography
Julia Goldsworthy is a Training and Project Coordinator and Youth Practitioner at Connected Self, where she delivers trauma-responsive training and manages the Adventure to Thrive and Adventure to Arrive initiatives. She coordinated Connected Self’s involvement in the TASV project. Julia brings extensive insight into learning behaviours from a twenty-year career as a primary school teacher in public education and as an ongoing relief teacher. She is currently expanding her therapeutic expertise by pursuing a Master of Counselling.
Dr Ivana Osenk
Research Fellow
Flinders University
Co-presenter
Biography
Dr Osenk is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and lecturer at Flinders University, holding appointments in the College of Medicine and Public Health and the College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work. She is responsible for the coordination, teaching, and clinical supervision of postgraduate counselling students, with her current research focused on the development and evaluation of trauma-informed frameworks in youth populations.
Her work in trauma-informed education is exemplified by collaborating on the Trauma Aware School Village — a co-designed, whole-of-school program supporting students, educators, and caregivers in South Australian primary schools. With extensive experience delivering psychological interventions across public, private, and NGO settings, she brings both clinical and research expertise to her work with young people. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at domestic and international conferences, and contributed to book chapters and media. She also maintains a private practice specialising in eating disorder treatment.
Session chair
Leanne Cornell-March
Senior Advisor Child Safety
Dept For Education SA
