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Full Day | Max. 16 Participants
Workshop Outcomes
- Define trauma-informed HR practice and its relevance to workplace wellbeing
- Apply the five trauma-informed principles (Safety, Trust, Choice, Collaboration, Empowerment)
- Identify trauma-aware approaches to recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
- Manage complaints, investigations, and return-to-work processes without re-traumatisation
- Balance procedural fairness and empathy in HR decision-making
- Embed trauma-informed principles into HR policies, systems, and culture
- Develop an individual and team action plan for sustained implementation
Topics Covered
- Foundations of Trauma-Informed HR
- Recruitment & Onboarding Through a Trauma Lens
- Trauma-Informed Performance Management
- Complaints, Investigations & Return-to-Work
- Embedding Trauma-Informed Systems & Culture
- Action Planning & Integration
Location
- Willing to work remote
- Willing to work interstate
How can this workshop be delivered?
- Face to Face
- Virtual
Overview
This workshop equips HR professionals and leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to apply trauma-informed principles across every stage of the employee life cycle. Participants learn how trauma impacts workplace behaviour, performance, and wellbeing, and how HR can balance accountability with compassion. Through practical tools, reflection, and case-based learning, attendees explore trauma-informed recruitment, performance management, complaint handling, and return-to-work strategies. The program empowers HR teams to design fair, psychologically safe systems that prevent harm, build trust, and strengthen workplace culture. Participants leave with a clear framework and action plan to embed care, fairness, and psychological safety into HR policy and practice
Workshop Outcomes
- Define trauma-informed HR practice and its relevance to workplace wellbeing
- Apply the five trauma-informed principles (Safety, Trust, Choice, Collaboration, Empowerment)
- Identify trauma-aware approaches to recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
- Manage complaints, investigations, and return-to-work processes without re-traumatisation
- Balance procedural fairness and empathy in HR decision-making
- Embed trauma-informed principles into HR policies, systems, and culture
- Develop an individual and team action plan for sustained implementation
Topics Covered
- Foundations of Trauma-Informed HR
- Recruitment & Onboarding Through a Trauma Lens
- Trauma-Informed Performance Management
- Complaints, Investigations & Return-to-Work
- Embedding Trauma-Informed Systems & Culture
- Action Planning & Integration
Who is this workshop for
HR and People & Culture professionals
Senior leaders and managers with HR responsibilities
Safety, wellbeing, and organisational development practitioners
Anyone involved in recruitment, performance, or complaints processes
Handouts/materials provided
Participant Workbook and Reflection Toolkit
Trauma-Informed HR Checklists and Policy Audit Worksheets
Conversation Planning Templates (Prepare–Discuss–Follow-Up)
Case Scenario Worksheets and Practice Lab Templates
Resource Pack (Respect@Work, Blue Knot, Phoenix Australia, Safe Work materials)
What to bring
A copy of a current HR policy or process for review
Notebook or device for reflection and planning
Willingness to engage in open discussion and scenario practice
Facilitator
About the facilitator
Sandy McCristal is a social worker, trainer, and investigator with more than two decades of
experience across government, higher education, health, and community sectors. She leads
national workforce development initiatives focused on psychosocial safety, trauma-informed
leadership, and workplace culture transformation.
Sandy specialises in supporting organisations to interpret and apply psychosocial obligations
under state and federal Work Health and Safety legislation, the Respect@Work reforms, and
associated Codes of Practice. Her work helps leaders and HR teams identify, assess, and
control psychosocial risks; design safer systems of work; and foster cultures grounded in
respect, accountability, and psychological safety. She is widely regarded for her ability to
bridge the gap between legislative compliance and practical leadership capability, helping
organisations shift from reactive wellbeing programs to proactive, risk-aware practice.
Drawing on evidence-based frameworks from Blue Knot Foundation, Phoenix Australia, and
SAMHSA, Sandy integrates trauma-informed principles into leadership, investigations, and
performance management. Her programs promote trust, transparency, collaboration, and
empowerment across all levels of the organisation.
Her professional background spans universities, hospitals, public sector agencies, and large
community organisations. She has designed and facilitated flagship programs in
psychosocial risk management, trauma-informed investigations, and respectful workplace
communication, all aligned with contemporary legislative and regulatory standards.
Sandy’s approach combines behavioural insight, systems thinking, and practical application
to create environments where people feel safe, supported, and able to perform at their best.
Key Expertise
- Psychosocial Risk Management
- Trauma-Informed Practice and Leadership
- Workplace Investigations
- Organisational Development and Culture Transformation
- Leadership and Workforce Capability Building
- Critical Incident and Psychological First Aid Response
- Education and Training Design
- Policy and Framework Development
- Counselling and Supervision
- Stakeholder Engagement and Change Facilitation
Industry Focus
- Higher Education and Research
- Healthcare and Hospital Services
- Government and Public Sector
- Community and Human Services
- Justice and Corrective Services
- Corporate and Organisational Development
- Private and Independent Enterprises
Based in:
About the facilitator
Sandy McCristal is a social worker, trainer, and investigator with more than two decades of
experience across government, higher education, health, and community sectors. She leads
national workforce development initiatives focused on psychosocial safety, trauma-informed
leadership, and workplace culture transformation.
Sandy specialises in supporting organisations to interpret and apply psychosocial obligations
under state and federal Work Health and Safety legislation, the Respect@Work reforms, and
associated Codes of Practice. Her work helps leaders and HR teams identify, assess, and
control psychosocial risks; design safer systems of work; and foster cultures grounded in
respect, accountability, and psychological safety. She is widely regarded for her ability to
bridge the gap between legislative compliance and practical leadership capability, helping
organisations shift from reactive wellbeing programs to proactive, risk-aware practice.
Drawing on evidence-based frameworks from Blue Knot Foundation, Phoenix Australia, and
SAMHSA, Sandy integrates trauma-informed principles into leadership, investigations, and
performance management. Her programs promote trust, transparency, collaboration, and
empowerment across all levels of the organisation.
Her professional background spans universities, hospitals, public sector agencies, and large
community organisations. She has designed and facilitated flagship programs in
psychosocial risk management, trauma-informed investigations, and respectful workplace
communication, all aligned with contemporary legislative and regulatory standards.
Sandy’s approach combines behavioural insight, systems thinking, and practical application
to create environments where people feel safe, supported, and able to perform at their best.
Key Expertise
- Psychosocial Risk Management
- Trauma-Informed Practice and Leadership
- Workplace Investigations
- Organisational Development and Culture Transformation
- Leadership and Workforce Capability Building
- Critical Incident and Psychological First Aid Response
- Education and Training Design
- Policy and Framework Development
- Counselling and Supervision
- Stakeholder Engagement and Change Facilitation
Industry Focus
- Higher Education and Research
- Healthcare and Hospital Services
- Government and Public Sector
- Community and Human Services
- Justice and Corrective Services
- Corporate and Organisational Development
- Private and Independent Enterprises
Based in:
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