.png)
What is a Trauma Informed Approach?
A Trauma Informed Approach is a whole system approach to thinking about health and wellbeing that appreciates people’s difficulties in the contexts in which they arise. It empowers people and services towards a compassionate motivation in order to alleviate and prevent suffering. It addresses the underlying causes of problems and seeks to create a culture of cooperation and safety.
Why Are Trauma Informed Approaches To Care Important?
Trauma informed approaches to care are important because it puts the patient’s lived experience at the centre of the healing process and focuses on building support for the patient based on engaging with the complexity of that lived experience.
How Was This Approach & Framework Developed?
The domains of this Trauma Informed Implementation framework was developed at a national trauma summit where a rapid thematic analysis of over 60 good practice examples of a trauma informed approach. You can find some examples here.
The Framework
Structure
The things that services choose to deliver and the way the services are organised and commissioned. Trauma informed services deliver a range of interventions aimed at healing and growth and are organised collectively to bridge
all the needs of the
population seamlessly.
Process
The way that services deliver what they do and the language they use to describe things. Such processes of delivery and engagement need to be focused on addressing power issues and safety (both physical and psychological). It can help to use language that demonstrates that people are understood as reacting to context, allows multiple perspectives and is free enough of jargon that allows more people to join in
the conversation.
Interpersonal
The relationships within and between services and with people who engage with services for support. Trauma informed relationships are based on mutual respect, authenticity, moral courage and empathy. It is not envisioned that disagreements won't happen but rather they are approached with a motivation to repair damage to relationships in order to promote trust. This implies that leaders need to be appointed and held to account for the way they contribute positively to such a culture.
This co-produced guide supports the transformation of services and settings in becoming trauma-informed, building on the learning in the implementation framework. The non-exhaustive practice examples could be reviewed by individuals or teams in organisations to get a shared understanding of what is desired and achievable. The framework is designed to be used cyclically, prompting mapping, planning, action and review. The practice points have two sets: one for staff and the other that people who use the service may observe and experience. It is currently more health related but we are working on versions for
other sectors.
Find out more about our framework in this short, informative video:
