On this page you will find relevant information about what we know about trauma-informed care in the child and family service sector. Including definitions and why it is important for our work.
There is no single universally accepted definition of trauma. However, it is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as:
an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.1
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is a philosophy in practice, research and policy that involves addressing the needs of individuals with histories of trauma, whether they are the ones seeking care, or providing care. It involves understanding the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, and professionals, and integrating this knowledge into organisational cultures, practices, and policies2.
Service providers that embed trauma-informed care principles in their practice take account of the specific needs, triggers, and sensitivities of individuals who have experienced trauma. The approach recognises the potential paths for recovery. The effect is a transition away from a focus purely on diagnosis or deficit, and toward holistic care based on individual need and lived experience3.
This approach to care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you2?”Trauma-informed models of care must involve both organisational and clinical practices that recognise the complex impact trauma has on both patients and providers.
Trauma-informed interventions occur at two levels: trauma-informed models of care and trauma-specific interventions.
These two approaches are viewed as complementary and not exclusive. Each can support the efficacy of the other.
Organisational responses to trauma tend to occur on a continuum from basic trauma awareness to trauma sensitivity, trauma responsivity, through to trauma-informed and/or trauma-specific interventions1.
Becoming a Trauma-informed service requires an understanding of trauma, the victim, the service, and the victim-service relationship. A service system embracing a trauma-informed perspective is characterised by agencies, programs, and service providers committed to:
Trauma-informed care involves considering an individual’s trauma experience as an underlying explanation for behavioural or emotional issues. It encompasses multiple services within child services, including screening, assessment, case management, inpatient services, and housing4. Unlike traditional models, trauma-informed care focuses on empowerment rather than control, and it emphasises staff providing psychoeducation to clients and their networks to link past abuse to coping strategies and reframe present symptoms5.
For an organisation to be trauma-informed, the culture of the organisation should reflect the below principles in every interpersonal contact, setting, and relationship, as perceived by both staff and consumers1.
Culturally responsive
Acknowledging community and culturally-specific trauma, overcoming biases, and incorporating cultural understanding into services.
Preventing harm and promoting healing
Actively protecting against re-traumatisation and fostering recovery and healing within the context of individual growth and positive relationships.
Trustworthiness and transparency
Applying transparent decision-making and operations to build and maintain trust.
Empowerment, voice, and choice
Supporting client control, choice, and autonomy, recognising that each person’s experience is unique and requires an individualised approach.
Collaboration and mutuality
Creating inclusive, collaborative relationships that level power differentials between staff and clients.
Trauma-lens
Understanding the signs, impacts, and prevalence of trauma in a child’s life, considering their background and culture.
Safety
Prioritising physical, psychological, social, and cultural safety for all involved parties.
Childhood trauma, stemming from harmful or life-threatening events, affects many children and adolescents globally. Studies show that by age 16, up to two-thirds of young people have experienced at least one traumatic event6. Certain groups, like those in out-of-home care, youth justice systems, experiencing homelessness, refugees, LGBTIQ youth, and young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, face higher risk4. Childhood trauma has severe impacts on mental, developmental, and relational health, leading to long-term physical, mental, social, and economic costs7.
For children repeatedly exposed to abusive experiences or chaos, their developing brains adapt to anticipate such environments, often resulting in maladaptive coping strategies. These experiences shape new meaning systems, influencing their choices and life trajectory2,8.
Moreover, evidence suggests that traumatic events rarely occur in isolation, increasing the likelihood of further trauma across life. Children facing trauma, especially complex trauma, are at a significantly higher risk of developing mental and physical health issues later in life due to the brain’s sensitivity to stress9.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) encompass potentially traumatic events occurring during childhood. ACEs include aspects of a child’s environment that undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Research suggests that ACEs can lead to significant and lifelong implications, such as:
Integrated trauma-informed care is essential for supporting family functioning and parental wellbeing. Caregivers of children may have their own trauma history, affecting their parenting capabilities. Factors such as untreated mental health issues, substance use, and domestic violence contribute to child vulnerability, often linked to parental trauma experiences. While not all traumatised parents face parenting challenges, some may need additional support to prevent intergenerational trauma. In adopting trauma-informed approaches, child and family services can aid adult survivors, address parental wellbeing concerns, and ensure early family support.
This framework extends beyond children and their families; it also encompasses staff members who may experience vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue while witnessing the challenges faced by children and families. Trauma-informed care for staff recognises the impact of their work and emphasises the importance of self-care, resilience-building, and fostering supportive work environments.
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