Every day, in classrooms across the country, teachers and school staff are facing the end results of adversity: poverty, family breakdown, unresolved trauma – the list goes on. While these aren’t listed in the job description, they’re a constant backdrop to the work of education professionals - from teaching assistants and lunchtime supervisors to headteachers.
Over time, this proximity to distress takes its toll.
At Flourish, we often talk about the importance of attachment-aware and trauma-informed (A&T) approaches for pupils - but it’s time to look at how these practices can make a big difference for staff too.
The Human Cost of Teaching in Tough Times
The latest Teacher Wellbeing Index paints a sobering picture. In the last academic year alone, 45% of education staff experienced symptoms consistent with anxiety, and over a third (35%) reported a mental health difficulty.
This isn’t a new trend. A nationwide investigation into teacher’s mental health found that teachers, when compared to other highly stressed occupations, reported both lower job satisfaction and poorer mental health outcomes. Teaching is, for many, currently at a cross-point between high emotional demand and low systemic support.
When teachers are repeatedly exposed to stories of trauma and signs of emotional distress, it affects their wellbeing. It sounds obvious, but it’s an often-overlooked addition to an already heavy workload. And for many teachers, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion become another part of the working day.
A Different Kind of Support System
We know that children’s ability to recover from trauma is closely tied to the quality of emotional support they receive. But what about the adults providing that support?
Research has shown that trauma-aware schools can make a measurable difference. A 2020 study by Ulster University found that trauma-informed training significantly improved staff attitudes and reduced burnout six months after implementation. Another study in the US found that staff without trauma training were more likely to experience secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and to want to leave the profession.
A&T approaches offer more than just insight. They provide practical tools for managing emotional and behavioural challenges in the classroom, such as:
- Co-regulation techniques that help both pupils and staff stay grounded
- Predictable routines that reduce anxiety and chaos
- Relationship-focused strategies to replace punitive responses
- Options and choices that restore a sense of control for everyone involved
Practical Strategies That Help Teachers Too
A&T training isn’t about adding another thing to the to-do list. It’s about changing the lens. When educators understand the roots of behaviour - how attachment patterns and trauma responses show up in the classroom - they’re less likely to interpret challenging moments as personal attacks or failures. That shift alone can reduce frustration and boost confidence and morale.
When teachers see the techniques they use working - especially with children who’ve previously been ‘unreachable’ - it’s affirming. It boosts confidence, reinforces their sense of purpose, and helps create a classroom culture that feels more manageable, and more human.
From Reactive to Reflective
Perhaps one of the most underappreciated benefits of trauma-informed practice is how it invites reflection. In learning about children’s emotional worlds, staff often gain new insights into their own.
This can spark healthier coping mechanisms, greater emotional awareness, and a stronger sense of professional boundaries.
Building a System That Cares for Its Carers
Trauma-informed and attachment-aware schools don’t just improve outcomes for children. They create environments where staff feel seen, supported, and empowered.
By reducing daily conflict, helping teachers feel more effective, and supporting emotionally safe school cultures, these approaches tackle the root causes of burnout, not just the symptoms.
And the ripple effects are powerful. When staff are well, children do better. When classrooms are calmer, learning improves. When educators feel confident and connected, they’re more likely to stay - and to thrive.
Through expert-led training and strategic guidance, Flourish supports education providers to become trauma informed and attachment aware.
