What is trauma-informed practice?

Trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that are experienced by an individual as harmful or life-threatening.

While unique to the individual, generally the experiences of trauma and adversity can have a profound and wide-reaching impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities. These experiences can influence people’s interactions and how they interpret the world and their surroundings.

Trauma-informed approaches acknowledge the prevalence of trauma in society, recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma, resist re-traumatising people and respond by building our knowledge and understanding of trauma into all that we do.

The Trauma-Informed Practice Framework

Drawing on national and international best practice and input from local organisations and people with lived experience of trauma and adversity, a Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Trauma-Informed Practice Framework has been developed as an accessible resource for local organisations.

The framework creates a shared language and approach that recognises the potential impact of trauma and adversity, and can help staff and organisations to respond in compassionate and timely way that supports recovery and prevent further harm

The framework includes guidance on trauma-informed practice and principles as well as examples of trauma-informed practice in action.

Trauma-informed practice in action

Case studies of how a trauma-informed approach has been applied to improve the health and wellbeing of our local population.