Trauma-Informed Practice

Our Approach

Our approach has been informed by the work of leaders in this field including Bessel Van der Kolk, Bruce Parry and Gabor Mate. 

An organisation, or system, that is trauma-informed understands the widespread impact of trauma and how it can negatively impact on individuals and communities. It aims to improve the accessibility and quality of services by creating culturally sensitive, safe services that people trust and want to use. It seeks to work in collaboration with staff and clients and empower them to make informed choices. 

It recognises the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system and sees beyond an individual’s presenting behaviours, asking, ‘What does this person need?’ rather than ‘What is wrong with this person?’  It understands the potential paths for recovery; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices. It aims to prevent retriggering individuals. 

However, becoming a trauma-informed organisation is not a linear journey with a defined set of static organisational goals that can be achieved simply by putting in enough effort and resources and then ticked off as achieved. 

True trauma-informed practice recognises the constant state of flux both within organisations and in their relationship with the wider communities. It evolves as external forces change, internal elements shift, and the relationships between them transform. The goal is to achieve a healthy trauma-informed ecosystem which recognises its interdependencies, strengths, and weaknesses, and can organise resources accordingly.

Based on this approach we deliver workforce training at four levels from ‘General awareness’ suitable for all staff through to training and supporting trauma champions who advocate for, and develop, appropriate trauma informed approaches within their organisation. We also deliver support to organisations who want to improve their trauma practice throughout their service.