Helping You Understand the Language of Trauma-Informed Care

Supporting a vulnerable child can be complex — especially when the words used by professionals feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. Our Trauma Glossary is here to help.

This glossary provides clear, accessible definitions of key terms related to trauma, attachment, emotional development, and therapeutic care. Whether you’re a teacher, social worker, carer, or parent, this guide is designed to give you the confidence and clarity to better understand the experiences and needs of the children you support.

This glossary will help you:

• Make sense of common trauma-related terminology

• Understand the impact of early childhood trauma

• Support emotionally vulnerable children with greater empathy and insight

• Build confidence when working alongside professionals