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One in three children and young people are exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event by the time they are 18. We know from decades of research that such exposure can increase the risk of later mental health problems, difficulties in personal and social relationships and new stressful experiences. However, through improved understanding, appropriate support and timely intervention we can reduce the negative impact of traumatic events on children and young people. 

The UK Trauma Council (UKTC) is a group of leading experts, drawn from a variety of disciples across all four nations of the UK. We are the first UK-wide platform bringing together expertise in research, practice, policy and lived experience in the field of childhood trauma. The UKTC is hosted and supported by the Anna Freud Centre. 

Access free, evidence-based resources for frontline professionals and carers that translate what scientists have learned, from studying the brain, about the impact of traumatic experiences like abuse and neglect. 

  • Research and practice

    The UKTC provides research round ups, videos and blogs summarising the best of what’s new and interesting in childhood trauma research and practice.

    Read the latest research round ups

  • Resources

    The UKTC offers resources to support individuals and organisations working to nurture and protect children and young people following trauma. You will find articles, animations, videos, guidance, handouts, presentations and more all created by the UK’s leading childhood trauma experts.

    Discover the UKTC's resources

  • Training

    The UKTC delivers trauma training courses, based on the best available evidence, to support you in your work with children and young people.

    Find out more about our courses

  • Policy

    The UKTC influences public policy to improve the help children and young people receive following potentially traumatic events and experiences. We share our collective knowledge and experience with the four governments of the UK through meetings and briefings.

    Read the latest policy briefing

Meet the co-directors

  • Dr Rachel Hiller

    Rachel is Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at University College London (UCL). She is also the Head of Postgraduate Studies at the Anna Freud Centre. Rachel is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). 

    Rachel’s research focuses on complex child trauma and adversity, with a particular focus on the mental health and wellbeing of children who have a social worker (including those who are in care). Her work here spans investigating psychological and social mechanisms linking trauma and adversity to mental health, as well as the effectiveness and implementation of scalable interventions across social care and mental health settings.

  • David Trickey

    David Trickey is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has specialised in working with traumatised and bereaved children, young people and families for more than 20 years. He continues to focus on direct clinical work, as well as the training and supervision of other practitioners. He routinely acts as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases and in 2018 was part of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence committee to revise guidelines on post-traumatic stress disorder.

This webpage features videos and an animation from “Childhood Trauma and the Brain” by the UK Trauma Council licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

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