Participants will gain strategies for discussing body safety and consent, navigating NDIS supports, and using co-regulation to address trauma-related behaviors, fostering safer environments for vulnerable youth.
Capability Level: Established
This workshop focuses on supporting young people with disabilities in the out-of-home care (OOHC) sector, with a particular emphasis on sexuality, protective behaviors, and trauma-informed care. Participants will explore key strategies to engage young people in conversations about body safety and consent, navigate the complexities of NDIS-funded supports, and use co-regulation techniques to handle trauma-related behaviors. By the end of the workshop, social workers will have the tools to create safer, more supportive environments for vulnerable young people.
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Overview of the agenda and objectives.
- Acknowledge participants’ prior knowledge.
- Discuss the importance of using a disability-specific lens in conversations about sexuality and safety.
- Who should attend?
- This workshop is suitable for social workers at an intermediate to advanced level who work with young people in out-of-home care, particularly those with disabilities. It is also ideal for social workers looking to deepen their understanding of trauma-informed care, protective behaviors, and disability-specific approaches in practice.
- This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.
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- Learning Outcomes:
- By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Identify the unique vulnerabilities of neurodivergent and disabled young people in OOHC and how this relates to CSA risk.
- Apply co-regulation techniques during sensitive conversations around body safety and sexuality.
- Implement protective behavior strategies tailored to the needs of youth with a disability, ensuring ongoing safety and well-being.
Event structure
Learning Session 1: Disability, CSA, and OOHC
- Why a Disability-Specific Lens is Important: Explore how a disability-specific approach ensures tailored interventions.
- Statistics on CSA and Disability: Present current statistics highlighting the risk factors for young people with disabilities.
- OOHC, CSA, and Disability Intersection: Discuss the specific vulnerabilities faced by disabled youth in out-of-home care.
Activity 1: Case Study on CSA in OOHC
- Participants will work in groups to analyze a case study of a neurodivergent young person who has experienced CSA in OOHC.
- Debrief: Group discussion on how to apply a disability-specific approach to support this young person.
Learning Session 2: Trauma-Informed Care and Co-Regulation
- Trauma and Neurodiversity: How trauma manifests in neurodivergent youth.
- Co-Regulation Techniques: Teach techniques for co-regulating with young people during difficult conversations.
- Three Tips for Self-Regulation: Practical strategies for workers to maintain calm during challenging interactions.
Activity 2: Co-Regulation Role-Play
- Participants will practice co-regulation techniques in pairs, focusing on handling trauma-triggering conversations.
- Debrief: Discussion on the importance of maintaining self-regulation in high-stress situations.
Break (10 minutes)
Learning Session 3: Current Challenges in OOHC for Disabled Youth
- Challenges with NDIS and Behavioral Supports: Review barriers to accessing and implementing behavioral supports through NDIS.
- What’s Working Well? Highlight successes in supporting young people in OOHC.
- What Could Be Done Better? Identify areas where improvements are needed, such as better integration of supports across services.
Activity 3: Problem Solving on Support Implementation
- Groups will brainstorm solutions for improving the implementation of behavioral supports in OOHC settings.
- Debrief Groups share their solutions and reflect on systemic barriers.
Learning Session 4: Protective Behaviors and Body Safety
- What Are Protective Behaviors? Define protective behaviors and why they are crucial in OOHC.
- Protective Behavior Themes:
Activity 4: Protective Behavior Role-Play
- Participants practice teaching protective behaviors using visual aids or social stories.
- Debrief: Discuss challenges in introducing protective behavior concepts to neurodivergent young people.
Wrap-Up and Reflection
- Summary of Key Learnings: Reflect on how the skills and strategies from the workshop can be applied in practice.
- Q&A: Open the floor to participant questions.
Additional resources
Participants will be provided with a curated list of resources, including protective behavior visual aids, trauma-informed care guidelines, and suggested reading on neurodiversity and body safety.
AASW Credentials: Disability and Mental Health.
