Trauma-informed care in paediatrics
Trauma-informed care ensures patients receive safe medical care from trusted providers who understand how personal histories can affect health and family life.
The Canadian Paediatric Society, B.C. Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and the Compass Lab (Unity Health Toronto) have collaborated to develop resources to help health care professionals (HCPS) forge more trusting, effective, therapeutic relationships with youth.
Development of these resources was supported by a grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Interventions and research work best when people they are meant to serve are consulted. These materials were co-designed with a Youth Advisory Council and inspired by the involvement of youth participants from across Canada
Understanding trauma-informed care
Youth perspectives on trauma-informed health care: Report on a national consultation
This report summarizes a scoping review (2023) and findings from a national youth consultation (2024-2025) on trauma-informed care. The national consultation was grounded in principles of community-based participatory research and co-led by a Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Working collaboratively with project team members and community partners across Canada, the YAC co-designed and implemented a youth consultation process that explored four key topics in health care:
- creating safe spaces,
- fostering safe interactions with health care professionals,
- discussing sensitive health issues, and
- safely involving health professional trainees.
Youth participants also discussed what comprises a “good” health visit and identified key messages and specific recommendations for delivering safe, trauma-informed care. Key messages reflect overarching principles, while the recommendations offer specific guidance for HCPs.
This report is intended for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and youth program developers who are engaged or interested in applying trauma-informed care to enhance the health, well-being, and development of youth in Canada.
Coming soon: Patient and caregiver perspectives of trauma-informed care in paediatric practice: A scoping review protocol
Trauma informed care in paediatrics
Speakers: Dr. Sara Jassemi and Dr. Eva Moore
Practicing trauma-informed care
Coming soon: Trauma-informed care: A practice point for paediatric providers in Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society Social Paediatrics Section
Cultural safety in practice: Providing quality health care for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth: Canadian Paediatric Society, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Health Committee
Caring for children and adolescents impacted by armed conflict: A rights-based approach: Caring for Kids New to Canada Task Force
From ACEs to early relational health: Implications for clinical practice, Canadian Paediatric Society, Early Years Task Force
National Center for Relational Health and Trauma-Informed Care, American Academy of Paediatrics
Trauma and violence-informed approaches to policy and practice: Public Health Agency of Canada
Information for parents and caregivers
Last updated: Jan 28, 2026