The Berry Street Model

The Berry Street Education Model is a trauma-informed, evidence-based framework designed to enhance student engagement, wellbeing, self-regulation, and academic achievement through practical, strengths-based strategies.

Overview

The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) is a trauma-informed and restorative educational approach developed in Australia to support students who have experienced adversity, disengagement, or complex learning needs. It draws on over a decade of research and Berry Street’s 140-year history of working with vulnerable children, adapting therapeutic insights for classroom use. The model emphasizes that every behaviour has meaning, often rooted in prior experiences of stress or trauma, and equips educators with strategies for de-escalation, relationship-building, and restorative practice.

Core Principles and Domains

BSEM focuses on five key domains that align with child development capacities necessary for learning:

  • Physical Regulation – Helping students manage stress responses and maintain focus.

  • Relational Classroom Management – Building positive relationships to support on-task learning.
  • Academic Persistence – Fostering resilience, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset.

  • Motivation to Learn – Using strategies that increase willingness and engagement.
  • Values and Character Strengths – Developing self-knowledge and future pathways.

These domains guide educators in creating safe, predictable, and supportive classroom environments that integrate wellbeing with academic instruction.

Implementation Strategies

BSEM is implemented through a whole-school approach, ensuring consistency across classrooms and leadership teams. Key strategies include:

  • Structured routines such as Morning Circles to set the tone for learning and co-regulation.

  • Brain Breaks to manage attention and energy levels, enhancing focus and readiness to learn.
  • Restorative conversations and predictable classroom practices to address challenging behaviours without punitive measures.

  • Professional development for educators, including foundation training, masterclasses, consultancy, and ongoing mentoring.

The model is adaptable to diverse student populations, including those with disabilities or trauma histories, and can be tailored to local school contexts.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Research and evaluations demonstrate that BSEM improves student engagement, academic outcomes, and wellbeing, while also enhancing teacher confidence, resilience, and classroom management. For example, a pilot evaluation by the University of Melbourne found that BSEM contributed to more than two years’ learning in one academic year, alongside stronger teacher-student relationships and increased student motivation. Over 90,000 educators have been trained in BSEM, reflecting its widespread adoption and proven impact.

Benefits

  • Enhanced student self-regulation and emotional wellbeing

  • Improved academic achievement and classroom engagement

  • Stronger teacher-student relationships and staff wellbeing

  • Safer, calmer, and more orderly learning environments

  • Sustainable whole-school culture changes through consistent trauma-informed practices.