How to Create a Safe Space: Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies

carli215
Aug 7
2 min read

Creating a truly safe space means more than just locking the door and dimming the lights. For many NDIS participants — especially those with lived experience of trauma — the way we show up as support workers, facilitators, or service providers can make all the difference.

Whether you’re working 1:1 or in a group setting, embedding trauma-informed practice into your daily approach helps participants feel respected, supported, and in control.

Let’s explore how to do just that 👇

🧠 What Does “Trauma-Informed” Actually Mean?

Being trauma-informed means understanding how past trauma can affect how a person feels, behaves, and interacts with the world.

It doesn’t mean knowing someone’s full story. It means assuming that someone may have experienced trauma — and acting in ways that avoid re-traumatisation and build trust.

This includes:

Prioritising emotional safety
Respecting personal boundaries and autonomy
Using calm, predictable routines
Offering real choice and control

🛑 What Doesn’t Feel Safe for Someone with Trauma?

People with trauma histories may feel unsafe in situations that seem ordinary to others. These triggers might include:

Sudden loud noises
A raised voice
Being touched without warning
Being given instructions without explanation
Feeling rushed, cornered, or overwhelmed
Being told what to do without choices

By recognising potential triggers, we can adjust our approach to minimise distress and support regulation.

✅ 6 Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies

Here’s how you can begin building a trauma-informed safe space — whether at home, in a day program, or during community-based supports:

1. Be Predictable

🕐 Use consistent routines, visual timetables, or verbal cues. Let participants know what’s happening next, and what to expect.

2. Offer Real Choice

🧩 Give meaningful options. Instead of “Do you want to do your worksheet?” try “Would you rather start with drawing or the worksheet today?”

3. Respect Boundaries

🖐 Don’t assume someone is okay with touch or physical closeness — ask first. Let participants know it’s okay to say no.

4. Use Calm, Regulated Voice and Body Language

🧘 Speak calmly and slowly. Your tone matters more than your words when someone is dysregulated.

5. Encourage Co-Regulation

🌬 Model breathing techniques or take a calm break with the participant — rather than sending them away alone.

6. De-Escalate With Compassion

💛 Don’t punish meltdowns. Help participants name and understand their emotions, and praise any effort to express needs safely.

🧡 A Safe Space is a Healing Space

Whether or not a participant opens up about their trauma, creating a supportive environment helps everyone feel more secure, understood, and capable.

Being trauma-informed doesn’t mean getting everything right all the time — it means being willing to adapt, reflect, and prioritise emotional safety.

📝 Want support services that put emotional safety first? Contact us here.