Supporting Staff Wellbeing and Safety in Alternative Provision/Pupil Referral Units

Report Summary

'Vicarious trauma' is an occupational hazard connected to the development of empathic relationships with people who have experienced trauma. Teachers and school staff face specific risks in this context given the complex and demanding emotional labour of their work. For those working in Alternative Provision, this risk becomes more acute given the intense nature of such support combined with the complex needs children and young people attending Alternative Provision typically present.

The research had two distinct stages. Firstly, the Humber Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) Evaluation Team was commissioned to research staff awareness and understanding of vicarious trauma within Alternative Provision settings, with the purpose of identifying support mechanisms to offset the impact of vicarious trauma. Secondly, the psychologist attached to the school (Dr LJ Ducksbury) was commissioned by the Humber VPP to develop a training package drawing on the research findings, focused on mitigation of vicarious trauma.

This report is centred on the first phase. The methodology involved workshops followed by focus groups for staff and senior leaders; 34 staff attended the workshop in November 2025 and 15 staff attended focus groups in February 2026.

Supporting Staff Wellbeing and Safety

Report Summary

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