Trauma-Informed Training for Professionals Working with Children

Practical, Play-Based Training That Makes a Difference

Are you a nursery teacher, primary school teacher, youth worker, health visitor, social worker, childminder, or Sure Start practitioner noticing the rising needs of children in your care?

You’re not alone. Across Northern Ireland, professionals like you are searching for trauma-informed training, play-based strategies, and practical tools to support children facing emotional, behavioural, and sensory challenges. At WayMaker, we believe play isn’t just for fun it’s foundational for healing, connection, and learning.

Our innovative, evidence-informed training is designed for busy professionals in early years, education, health, social care, and youth work. We don’t train in formal play therapy, but instead provide playful therapeutic techniques that help you respond effectively to children’s needs. You’ll understand the why behind each approach and gain practical tools that can be used straight away in classrooms, clinics, youth centres, or home visits.

HEALING POWER OF PLAY

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BEYOND THE SENSES

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KINGDOM PLAY

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What Makes WayMaker Training Different?

WayMaker training is designed with busy professionals in mind, combining simplicity with evidence-informed approaches. Our courses are rooted in play-based and sensory strategies, giving you practical tools you can use immediately to support children’s emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs.

We focus on trauma-informed care training while providing a clear pathway to play-based approaches in Northern Ireland, helping professionals understand the why behind each technique. Each session equips you with a toolkit of therapeutic techniques — including sensory strategies that are easy to implement, yet fully backed by research, ensuring your practice is both effective and confident.

Training Topics We Offer

Our professional training sessions cover a range of practical and evidence-informed topics, including:

Trauma and Attachment
Neuroscience
Child Development
Emotional Regulation
Supporting Sensory Needs
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
The power of play

WHAT HAVE PROFESSIONALS SAID ABOUT OUR TRAINING SESSIONS?

I have been to many different types of training over the years, both in my profession as a teacher and within voluntary settings – mostly in church. Kingdom Play training has been the most beautiful and excellent training to date. Thank you! Relevant to me as a parent, children’s professional and teacher.

— KINGDOM PLAY

Genuinely one of the most interesting and useful training sessions I have ever attended. Both Tara and Eileen delivered the session so well, tailored conversation and information around the needs of our team and provided so much insight around the field of play and early learning. I can't wait to have conversations with families we work with around learning and play 'beyond the senses' and help shape the way we deliver play too!

— BEYOND THE SENSES

I found this training excellent in understanding different ways to approach a child that goes into a meltdown. Love the session, and I found it very helpful and practical for my everyday work.

— A Healing Power of Play

The training was very useful and I am now using it in my daily practice. Eileen and Tara made us feel very relaxed which made it engaging throughout. I would highly recommend this course and hope to attend more courses in the future. Early Years Organisation