Conference session

This session shares findings from a Master’s thesis, Exploring Frontline Staff Perspectives on Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) in Group Care Settings. It will take the form of a poster presentation outlining the study’s background, purpose, methods, and key findings. The central research question guiding this work is: What are frontline workers’ perspectives on trauma-informed practices in group care? Group care remains a highly controversial service model. While some organizations have called for its elimination, it continues to serve children and youth with complex needs and limited placement options. When well-resourced and thoughtfully designed, group care can promote safety, healing, and family reunification, with TIC identified as a promising approach. This session will be valuable for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in child welfare and trauma-informed practice. Using qualitative interviews with Alberta-based frontline staff, the study examines how TIC is understood in practice, as well as potential strategies and barriers to its implementation. Overall, this research aims to support more informed and balanced conversations about group care and TIC, and to improve outcomes for children and youth in care.