The range of problems, challenges, and disorders among children and young people in the out of home care system (OOHC) is well-documented and spans virtually every domain of functioning. Sleep, however, has received minimal attention among this vulnerable group. Given the myriad ways sleep is both impacted by and affects children’s development, health, and behaviour; this is both notable and concerning.

Due to the crucial role of restorative sleep in regulating neurobiological stress response activity implicated in trauma exposure, better understanding of the nature of children’s sleep experiences and environments in the aftermath of trauma is an essential element in the trauma recovery process for children and young people in OOHC.

This paper will explore the ways in which children experience sleep in the context of their social and physical sleep environments following exposure to violence and trauma. It will examine how children experience their social and physical sleep environments to facilitate or impede restful sleep. Thie paper will describe the lived experiences of trauma -exposed children and young people navigating sleep and sleep environments in the aftermath of trauma and propose interventions to address the impact of this issue.