Day 1: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) is Australia’s leading trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to teaching and learning, and this Day 1 session on July 22, 2026 marks the beginning of the BSEM Early Years training programme in Melbourne. Developed by Berry Street — one of Australia’s largest independent child and family services organisation — the model integrates clinical, educational, and welfare perspectives to equip educators with evidence-informed strategies for meeting the needs of vulnerable and at-risk students who have experienced various forms of trauma. With up to 40% of Australian students having been exposed to or witnessed traumatic stressors, the BSEM addresses a critical gap in mainstream teacher education. The model focuses on expanding what’s possible in teaching and learning by building educators’ capacity to support student engagement, self-regulation, relationships, wellbeing, and academic achievement simultaneously. Over 90,000 educators across Australia have now been trained in the BSEM, with evaluations showing significant links to academic improvement, increased student engagement, and better teacher-student relationships. The Early Years training is specifically tailored for early childhood educators, recognising that trauma-informed practice needs to begin from the earliest years of education. This multi-day programme (running July-October 2026) provides a comprehensive foundation in the model’s principles and practical strategies. For educators working with young children who want to create genuinely inclusive, strengths-based learning environments, the BSEM Early Years training is among the most impactful professional development available in Australia.