When a child is placed on a child protection plan, safeguarding is just the start. This guide shows how therapeutic interventions can support healing, trust, and recovery — with insights for UK social workers and managers.
TL;DR
A child protection plan is put in place when there are serious concerns that a child is at risk of harm — often because of abuse or neglect. While the plan focuses on safety, we must also think about healing.
Children who’ve experienced trauma need more than protection. They need help to recover emotionally, build trust, and feel secure again. That’s where therapeutic interventions come in.
This quick guide is for UK social workers, practitioners, and team managers. It explains how to include trauma-informed therapy in a child protection plan, so that safeguarding isn’t just about safety — it’s about healing too.
What Is a Child Protection Plan?
A child protection plan is a written agreement made when professionals believe a child is at risk of serious harm. This could be due to physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. The plan is designed to keep the child safe and to support their family to make lasting, positive changes.
The process starts with a child protection conference, usually after a Section 47 enquiry under the Children Act 1989. If the professionals involved agree that the child needs ongoing protection, the plan is put in place.
Each plan is tailored to the child’s unique situation. It may include actions like:
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Regular home visits from a social worker
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Medical or psychological assessments
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Parenting support or supervision
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Therapeutic interventions to help the child recover from trauma
The social worker is the lead professional. They coordinate the plan, bring agencies together, and check that everything is being done to reduce risk and improve the child’s wellbeing.
A child protection plan isn’t just about preventing harm — it’s about giving a child the chance to heal, grow, and feel safe again.
How Abuse and Neglect Affect a Child’s Development
When a child has experienced abuse or neglect, the effects often go far beyond what we can see. The emotional wounds — or child trauma — can shape their development for years to come.
Children who’ve been hurt or let down by the adults around them may struggle to trust, feel safe, or regulate their emotions. These early experiences can affect how they:
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Form relationships
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Learn in school
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Manage stress
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Understand themselves and the world
The impact of trauma on child development is especially significant in the early years, when the brain is still forming. Chronic stress can alter how the brain responds to danger, leaving a child constantly on edge or shut down emotionally. This can lead to behavioural difficulties, sleep issues, health problems, or delays in language and learning.
For social workers and practitioners, working with trauma means understanding these behaviours not as “naughty” or “attention-seeking,” but as survival responses. The way a child acts often tells us more about what they’ve lived through than what they’ve done.
That’s why it’s vital for any child protection plan to include a trauma-informed approach — one that recognises the root of the child’s struggles and offers them the tools to begin healing.
Integrating Therapeutic Interventions into a Child Protection Plan
A well-structured child protection plan does more than respond to risk — it supports recovery. For children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect, therapy isn’t an optional extra. It’s a key part of the healing process.
Therapeutic interventions can help children make sense of what happened, rebuild trust, and learn ways to feel safe in their bodies and relationships. These aren’t one-size-fits-all. The best approach depends on the child’s age, needs, and history.
Here are some examples of effective therapies that can be included in a plan:
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Attachment-based support for infants and toddlers
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Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) for younger children
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Trauma-focused CBT for older children and teens
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Creative therapies like art or drama for those who struggle to talk
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Group programmes for foster carers and adoptive parents
For social workers, choosing the right support starts with a good assessment. If the child is showing signs of distress, fear, or mistrust, it’s important to consider how trauma informed care can be built into the protection plan.
This might include:
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Referrals to local child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
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Joint working with therapists or counsellors
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Regular emotional wellbeing check-ins
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Creating space in the plan for childhood trauma healing
It’s also essential to involve the child wherever possible. Offering choices, listening to their voice, and explaining what therapy involves can help them feel respected and in control.
Principles of Trauma-Informed Care in Child Protection
When a child is recovering from abuse or neglect, the way professionals respond can either support or stall their healing. That’s why every child protection plan should be grounded in the core principles of trauma-informed care.
These principles give social workers and practitioners a framework for working with trauma in a safe, respectful, and empowering way. They help ensure that we don’t just protect children from further harm — we also help them rebuild trust and resilience.
Here are the key principles of trauma informed care and what they mean in child protection:
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Safety
Children need to feel physically and emotionally safe in every environment — home, school, and placement. -
Trust and transparency
Being honest, predictable, and consistent helps children feel secure. -
Choice and empowerment
Wherever possible, children should be given a voice. Explaining options and involving them in decisions shows respect. -
Collaboration
Building strong, coordinated relationships between professionals, families, and children fosters trust and shared responsibility. -
Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Each child’s background, identity, and lived experience must be respected and reflected in the plan.
Applying these trauma informed care principles isn’t about adding another layer of complexity. It’s about seeing the child behind the behaviour — and making sure every part of the child protection plan supports emotional as well as physical safety.
Common Signs That a Child Needs Therapeutic Support
Not all trauma is visible. Many children who have experienced abuse or neglect won’t be able to describe how they feel — but their behaviour often speaks for them.
As a social worker or practitioner, recognising the signs of emotional trauma in a child is essential. These signs can guide your decisions about what support to recommend as part of a child protection plan.
Some common red flags include:
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Sudden changes in behaviour (withdrawal, aggression, clinginess)
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Sleep problems or nightmares
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Regression (bedwetting, baby talk, fear of being alone)
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Difficulty concentrating at school
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Frequent physical complaints with no clear cause
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Avoidance of certain people or places
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A constant need to be in control — or complete passivity
These behaviours can be a child’s way of expressing fear, confusion, or shame — especially if they feel they can’t talk about what happened.
For some children, the trauma shows up in more unusual ways. For example:
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Tooth discolouration after trauma may suggest prolonged stress or injury.
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Trauma bonding — when a child clings to someone who has hurt them — can complicate relationships with carers or professionals.
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More privileged children might display subtle signs of distress, such as those seen in boarding school syndrome.
If you’re unsure, using a child trauma test or checklist can help inform your assessment. These tools are not diagnostic, but they can highlight when a child might benefit from specialist therapeutic support.
Identifying these signs early allows the child protection plan to include the right therapeutic interventions — before behaviours escalate or distress deepens.
Beyond the Obvious: Overlooked Trauma in Privileged Contexts
Not all children who experience trauma come from visibly “at-risk” situations. In some cases, the distress is hidden behind academic success, private education, or well-resourced homes. This doesn’t mean it’s any less real.
One example is boarding school syndrome: the psychological trauma of the ‘privileged’ child. Children sent away from home at a young age may appear confident or high-achieving — but underneath, they may be dealing with attachment loss, emotional suppression, or feelings of abandonment.
These children might:
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Struggle with trust or emotional intimacy
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Show strong resistance to authority or complete compliance
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Experience chronic anxiety or detachment
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Mask their distress with perfectionism or control
This form of child trauma is often missed — or even dismissed — because of the child’s background or the family’s social status. But the emotional impact can be significant.
When creating a child protection plan, it’s important not to assume a child’s environment is safe just because it looks stable on the surface. Trauma can occur in any setting — and therapeutic support should be considered whenever there are signs of emotional difficulty, no matter the child’s postcode.
By broadening our lens, we give all children the chance to heal — not just those who meet the typical risk profile.
Collaborating with Carers, Schools, and Therapists
When a child is on a child protection plan, healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes a coordinated, compassionate effort from everyone in the child’s life — especially carers, educators, and therapists.
Social workers play a key role in working with trauma across services. But it’s the consistency between home, school, and therapy that truly helps a child feel safe and supported.
Effective collaboration might include:
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Sharing trauma-informed strategies with schools to reduce behaviour triggers
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Supporting foster carers to understand trauma responses and avoid re-traumatising the child
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Making sure therapists are aware of the child’s plan and safeguarding needs
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Creating a space where the child doesn’t have to “retell their story” at every stage
Even something as simple as consistent routines, gentle transitions, and clear communication can have a powerful impact on a child’s ability to trust and regulate their emotions.
Therapy isn’t a separate strand of support — it should be woven through the entire child protection plan. When schools, carers, and therapists work together, the child benefits from a joined-up approach that truly puts their emotional and developmental needs first.
Reviewing and Adapting the Plan Over Time
A child protection plan is not a fixed document. As a child’s situation changes, so should the support they receive — especially when trauma is involved.
Therapeutic needs can evolve over time. A child who was too anxious to speak in the early stages may later become ready for direct work or creative therapies. Likewise, foster carers or parents may benefit from extra training or group support as they learn more about childhood trauma healing.
That’s why regular reviews are so important.
At each review meeting, it’s vital to consider:
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Has the child’s behaviour changed?
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Are there new concerns from school, carers or therapists?
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Is the current intervention still the right fit?
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Has the child been given a voice in the planning?
Working with trauma means being flexible, patient, and prepared to adapt. Healing doesn’t follow a straight line — and progress may look different for every child.
Social workers can lead the way by making sure the child protection plan remains dynamic, reflective, and responsive. By involving the child, listening to professionals, and revisiting goals regularly, we can ensure the plan grows with the child — not apart from them.
Useful Resources
Supporting children after abuse or neglect requires more than a checklist — it takes compassion, knowledge, and the right tools. If you’re working on a child protection plan and want to ensure it includes meaningful, trauma-informed support, the following resources can help:
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Our Services – Learn more about our family support and trauma-informed work.
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Referral Pathway – Make a professional referral for support.
Trusted UK Safeguarding Guidance
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NICE Guideline NG76: Child Abuse and Neglect – Evidence-based recommendations for identifying and supporting at-risk children.
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GOV.UK – Working Together to Safeguard Children – Official framework for inter-agency safeguarding in England.
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NSPCC Therapeutic Services – Information on therapy programmes for children and families recovering from abuse.
These resources can help you build confidence in working with trauma, develop better-informed plans, and ensure every child protection plan prioritises not just safety — but healing too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I refuse a child protection plan?
A parent or carer cannot directly refuse a child protection plan if one has been agreed upon by a multi-agency conference due to serious safeguarding concerns. However, you can raise objections and challenge decisions within the process. If you disagree with the plan, it’s important to work with your social worker and legal adviser to ensure your views are heard and reviewed fairly.
Why would a child be on a child protection plan?
A child may be placed on a child protection plan if professionals believe they are at risk of significant harm due to abuse or neglect. This includes emotional, physical, sexual abuse or persistent failure to meet basic needs. The plan outlines how services will support the family and keep the child safe.
At what age can a child remember trauma?
Research shows that children can retain emotional memories from a very early age — even before they can verbalise their experiences. While explicit memory typically forms from around age 3, trauma can impact children much younger, affecting behaviour, attachment, and development.
What are the 5 principles of trauma informed care?
The five widely recognised principles are:
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Safety
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Trustworthiness
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Choice
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Collaboration
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Empowerment
These principles ensure children feel secure and respected in all interactions.
What are the 6 principles of trauma-informed care?
Some models expand the core principles to six by adding:
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Sensitivity
This ensures that care is inclusive and responsive to each child’s unique background and identity.
How does child trauma affect someone across their lifetime?
Child trauma — especially when left untreated — can have a lasting impact on emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. Children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect may carry those early experiences into adulthood in the form of:
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Anxiety, depression, or PTSD
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Difficulties with trust or relationships
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Poor self-esteem or self-worth
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Chronic health problems linked to stress
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Struggles with employment, parenting, or education
However, when trauma-informed care is offered early — often as part of a child protection plan — these patterns can be changed. Therapeutic support helps children understand their feelings, build healthy relationships, and develop lifelong coping skills.
Healing is possible. The right intervention at the right time can make all the difference.
Can child trauma cause ADHD?
Child trauma and ADHD can look very similar — and sometimes overlap. Both can involve difficulty concentrating, impulsive behaviour, restlessness, and emotional outbursts. However, trauma doesn’t cause ADHD in the medical sense, but it can lead to symptoms that closely resemble it.
This is known as trauma-related attention difficulties. Children who’ve lived through abuse or neglect may be in a constant state of alert, making it hard for them to focus, sit still, or manage their emotions. These behaviours are sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD.
A good child protection plan should explore this carefully, involving trauma-informed professionals who can assess what’s really going on. Whether the child has ADHD, trauma-related stress, or both — they need understanding, structure, and the right therapeutic support.
Can child trauma cause autism?
No — child trauma does not cause autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that people are born with. It affects how someone communicates, processes information, and experiences the world. It is not caused by parenting, life experiences, or trauma.
However, it’s important to recognise that some autistic children may also experience trauma — and their needs can be easily misunderstood. Similarly, child trauma can lead to behaviours (like withdrawal, sensory sensitivity, or communication difficulties) that may look similar to autism.
That’s why careful, trauma-informed assessments are essential. If you’re developing a child protection plan, it’s crucial to involve professionals who understand both trauma and neurodiversity, so that no child is mislabelled or overlooked.
How can I help a child with trauma in school?
Support starts with creating a calm, predictable environment. Trauma-informed approaches — such as offering choice, avoiding harsh discipline, and building trust — make a huge difference. Regular contact between schools, social workers, and carers is essential when a child is on a child protection plan.
What is trauma informed care in practice?
It means responding to each child with empathy, consistency, and respect. In the context of a child protection plan, it means understanding that challenging behaviour is often a sign of past trauma — and adapting our support accordingly.
What are signs of emotional trauma in a child?
Look for withdrawal, aggression, sleep problems, fearfulness, or sudden changes in behaviour. These are often ways children express distress when they can’t explain it in words.
What is a child trauma test?
While not a formal diagnosis, screening tools and questionnaires can help professionals identify the presence and impact of trauma. These can guide referrals and decisions within a child protection plan.
What is boarding school syndrome?
It refers to the psychological trauma of the ‘privileged’ child, often linked to early separation from caregivers in boarding settings. Children may show detachment, perfectionism, or suppressed emotion — all of which can impact their mental health and relationships.
How can I refer a child to Welcare?
To explore a referral for supported living for children or residential therapeutic care, contact Welcare’s referrals team directly through our website. We’ll guide you through the process, ensuring the right placement and support structure for the child’s individual needs.
