Trauma Informed Context

Trauma:

“Trauma is one possible response to adversity. A traumatic event can be an experience, series of experiences, or circumstances but resilience is possible with timely support.” (Frameworks UK)

Trauma refers to experiences that cause intense physical and psychological stress reactions. This may be from a single event, multiple events or a set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically and emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse affects on the individuals physical, social and emotional, or spiritual wellbeing. (Adapted from SAMHSA 2014)

Trauma Informed Organisation:

“A program, organisation, or system that is trauma-informed realises the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognises the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into procedures and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatisation.” (SAMHSA, 2023)

Trauma Informed Practice:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-definition-of-trauma-informed-practice/working-definition-of-trauma-informed-practice

A Trauma Informed Approach:

A TIA encompasses all of the above. It also recognises the correlation between trauma and poorer outcomes which may be caused by the direct impact of the trauma, the impact of the trauma on a person’s coping response or the impact of the trauma on a person’s relationships with others.

Implementing a trauma informed approach is complex, as organisations and systems differ widely. What is recommended is “a comprehensive, whole-system approach to the implementation process that is theoretically grounded, developmentally informed and is flexible enough to be adapted to each organization’s unique context.”  In summary a trauma informed approach has been described as “a framework to guide complex systems”  (QUB.2024)

The Trauma-Informed Practice team includes four dedicated Implementation Managers who are available to support organisations in embedding a trauma-informed approach across systems and services.

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In 2017, the Department of Health announced a £1.5 million investment through the cross-departmental Early Intervention Transformation Programme (EITP). This funding aimed to strengthen the workforce’s understanding of how adversity impacts child development, and to enhance the skills of practitioners working with individuals affected by childhood adversity—through the implementation of a trauma-informed approach.

EITP funding concluded in 2021, and since this time the work has been funded by the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC), reflecting a sustained commitment to trauma-informed systems change. 

The 2025 Programme for Government Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most outlines a commitment to develop a trauma-informed public sector, equipping staff at all levels with the skills needed to work in partnership and support people as they rebuild a sense of control and empowerment in their lives. 

The document acknowledges that harm results in elevated levels of trauma and that it is these same underlying societal issues and economic challenges that often lead people into crime, as well as making them vulnerable to criminal exploitation. 

“Acknowledging the levels of trauma in our post-conflict society, we will work across the Executive to embed trauma-informed, responsive systems; systems that help people to easily navigate and access the support they need, when they need it, and for however long they need it for."

Oversight of the teams work is provided by the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) Committee, which supports the Implementation Managers in working collaboratively with member and partner agencies. The committee recognises that embedding a trauma informed approach is only possible within environments, policies, systems, and organisations that are themselves trauma-informed and responsive.

A core message is that we all have a role to play in translating knowledge about adversity, trauma, and resilience into meaningful improvements in policy, practice, and public service delivery. 

Emerging research highlights the protective role of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) in mitigating the effects of trauma and adversity. A key message is that relationships matter. A sense of safety, belonging, and connection—whether in families, schools, workplaces, or communities—can serve as a powerful buffer against the impact of negative experiences.