7 | P a g e
Training in trauma-informed practice improves practitioners' skills, knowledge
and can improve confidence if supported by leadership and policy.
A lack of leadership and policy support can impede the implementation of
trauma-informed practice by frontline staff.
A lack of shared language and understanding of each other's roles can impede
multi-disciplinary collaborative working.
A Social Worker's own experiences and resilience impacts on their ability to
respond in an effective trauma-informed manner with adolescents. This then
impacts on job satisfaction and staff retention.
Conclusions
The following recommendations are made to support the implementation of
trauma-informed practice with adolescents:
Parents and carers need to be provided with education and training in
trauma-informed care and crisis intervention. This will support them to
better understand and respond to adolescent's pain-based behaviour and
prevent foster care placement breakdowns.
Reflective practice including reflective supervision and a shared reflective
organisational culture is needed to support Social Worker's in building
positive, trusting relationships with adolescents.
Upper level management need to be trained in trauma-informed practice before
implementation by frontline Social Workers. Clear direction is needed on how
training is implemented in practice and policy needs to reflect this. Multidisciplinary
training is needed to support collaboration and mutual
understanding.
Name of Reviewer Scott Fleming
Organisation Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Contact Details scott.fleming@northerntrust.hscni.net