Module 3: Trauma-informed Communication
How organisations respond to reports of harmful behaviour shapes whether people feel safe enough to speak up in the future. For staff handling reports of bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, or discrimination, consistency, confidence, and trust are critical. Our modular Responder Training programme equips responders with the practical skills and trauma-informed approaches needed to manage reports appropriately, support those involved, and build confidence in your organisation’s response process.
This is the third module within the Responder Training course.
By the end of our Trauma-informed Communication module, participants will:
Understand how and why people experience trauma when they have experienced harmful behaviours such as bullying, harassment and sexual harassment
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Be able to apply trauma-informed practice to communications with reporters, whether this be face-to-face or virtually
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Have developed practical knowledge around how to look after themselves when responding to reports of harmful behaviours, reducing the risk of experiencing vicarious trauma when responding to reports
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Trusted by, quite literally, millions of employees.
About this course
Modular Responder Training (Responding to Reports)
Each module focuses on a different element of what makes an effective speak up process. They can be delivered in a series, across multiple sessions, or as a standalone full day training session. The modules are as follows:
Module 3: Trauma-informed Communication
Module 4: Case Management & Facilitating Resolutions
About this course
This interactive training course is designed for staff responsible for responding to reports of harmful behaviour using the Report + Support™ platform, including case workers, HR professionals, student services teams, safeguarding staff, and workplace investigators. For organisations not using the Report + Support™ platform, we include bespoke information about existing reporting mechanisms.
This course can be delivered as a full-day session or split across multiple shorter modules, depending on your organisation’s needs. Each module can also be accessed individually, if specific topics or refresher sessions are required.
Delivered in a practical, discussion-led format, the training helps participants to develop confidence in handling sensitive reports, applying trauma-informed principles, and managing cases consistently in line with organisational expectations.
What the session covers
- A foundational understanding of trauma - What is trauma, and when and how do people experience it in relation to harmful behaviours?
- Trauma responses - How trauma is likely to show up in reporters throughout the speak up process, and how we can respond to this
- Trauma-informed Practice - What is trauma-informed practice and why is it important?
- Trauma-informed Communication - Practical guidance on trauma-informed communications, whether this be face-to-face or virtually
- Messaging an anonymous reporter - Explore Culture Shift’s two-way messaging feature and how it can be used for trauma-informed communications with anonymous reporters
- Looking after yourself - How to look after yourself as a responder to reports of harmful behaviours, to reduce the risk of vicarious trauma
Talk to us about training for your organisation
If you want to strengthen how your organisation responds to reports of harmful behaviours, we can help. Get in touch to discuss tailored responder training designed around your policies, processes and your reporting culture.
Why responder training matters
The way organisations respond to reports of harmful behaviour has a direct impact on:
- Whether people feel safe enough to report concerns
- Confidence in organisational reporting processes
- The consistency and quality of case handling
- Trust in leadership, HR and support teams
- Organisational culture and risk management
A poor response process can undermine trust and discourage future reporting. A consistent, trauma-informed approach helps organisations build safer cultures where concerns are handled fairly, appropriately, and with confidence.
Recognise covert bullying, harassment, sexual harassment
Design speak up processes that remove barriers
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"They took the time to understand our requirements for navigating the new legislation on sexual harassment, designing a solution that has enabled us to ensure as a business, we can equip our people to mitigate unacceptable behaviours in the workplace effectively, and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, be themselves and thrive."
"The session was thought-provoking and tailored to include real world scenarios that resonated with our employees and the unique environments they work within. Culture Shift creates a non-judgemental learning environment."
"Culture Shift have consistently delivered to a high standard. Charlotte’s facilitation has been engaging and impactful across both virtual and in-person sessions. The practical tools provided support our people in raising awareness and to confidently address any issues relating to unacceptable behaviours in the workplace, enabling a zero tolerance culture."
"After completing this training with our Senior Leadership team, I have new ideas on how we can prevent sexual harassment of our employees, from the recruitment process through to exit interview."
What our customers say
Hear how teams are creating safer, more open workplaces by giving people the confidence to speak up - and the tools to act when it matters most.
"We were seeing trends that we were able to push up into committee structures and say - 'We know where our problems are. We know what our resourcing needs to look like.'"
"Report + Support™ has been an instrumental tool for us in terms of addressing barriers to reporting unwanted behaviours, as well as monitoring trends and collecting data insights to inform our preventative and response strategies."
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Our Training Team
Culture Shift's Training Academy is delivered by a team of specialist trainers based across the country, each bringing direct experience in preventing bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at work. Every trainer combines deep subject matter expertise with practical facilitation skills, designing and delivering programmes that go beyond box-ticking to genuinely change how managers and staff respond to concerns. Because our trainers are based nationwide, we can deliver sessions in person at your organisation, wherever you're located, bringing the same consistent standard of training to every session.
Enquire about this course
FAQs
Questions about Responder Training? We've got answers.
Responder Training is a modular programme for staff who handle reports of bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, or discrimination. It builds the practical skills and trauma-informed approaches needed to manage reports consistently and support those involved.
The training is delivered as a series of modules, each covering a different element of an effective speak up process. Organisations can run modules across multiple sessions or combine them into a standalone full day session, depending on what fits their team.
How an organisation responds to a report shapes whether people feel safe raising concerns in the future. Consistent, confident, trauma-informed responses build trust in the reporting process and encourage people to speak up.
Still have questions?
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