“Trauma-informed care is a strength-based framework that is grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma, that emphasizes physical, psychological and emotional safety of both providers and survivors, and creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment”. 

Shelter from the Storm: Trauma-Informed Care in Homelessness Services Settings   

Trauma informed practice aims to strengthen relationships with people drawing on care and support to avoid repeating unhelpful relational dynamics that can emerge in helping relationships. We do this, in part, by understanding the prevalence and potential impact of adversity on people and recognising the signs and symptoms of trauma. 

Building on how we understand the potential impact of trauma, trauma-informed practice incorporates a set of agreed core principles across a service that enables practice. Lasting change in knowledge, attitudes and responsiveness takes time, leadership commitment, ongoing organisational support, workforce development and community. It is not a manualised approach and requires a culture of curiosity and experiential learning.    

There are 6 potential principles to consider when working towards trauma-informed care and support (adapted from SAMHSA):   

There are many ways to describe and understand trauma. Trauma can result from a single overwhelming experience or accumulate over multiple, smaller stressful events. It occurs when a person is overwhelmed and helpless, frightened and has no control over their situation. 

The brain and body automatically deploy a range of powerful strategies to help us to perceive risk and survive overwhelming events. In trauma, these strategies, once highly adaptive, get stuck in survival mode and interfere with living in the here and now. The impact of trauma will be different for each one of us.  

Trauma can be categorised in several different ways: