Identifying 'shame' in child protection practice

Shame continues to be a rather neglected area in child protection practice, despite its strong link to the topics of attachment and trauma. It is likely child protection professionals will come across the behavioural representations of shame and its associated coping strategies, but perhaps not recognise the special relationship it shares with relational trauma. This seminar aims to provide professionals with existing ideas and knowledge related to the development of shame and how it may present in children (and adults).

Attend to:

• Recognise the role that shame might play in a child or adult’s life and how to take steps to minimise its ongoing affects.
• Explore how the development of shame is linked to specific survival strategies, and understand its protective purpose.
• By reframing the behavioural presentations of shame, learn how to respond differently to the behaviours that we see.

Laura Hanbury, clinician and PhD research student, Royal Holloway University