Parents of children with complex support needs can experience multiple traumatic events that are ongoing and highly stressful. Extended exposure to trauma has adverse consequences on physical and mental health, leaving parents at high risk of developing complex trauma. To support all parents and promote their wellbeing, it is therefore critical that care systems, organisations and servicedelivery approaches are trauma aware and trauma responsive.

This study examines a regional Victorian parent support program to understand how trauma‑informed care was enabled or limited for parents of children with complex support needs. 

Program practitioners often used relational, strengths‑based approaches that aligned with trauma‑informed principles, but parents frequently encountered trauma‑insensitive practices in the wider service system. 

The paper highlights the need for clearer organisational policies, stronger workforce training, collaboration with trauma‑specific services and ongoing consultation with parents to embed trauma‑informed care across systems.