What is trauma-informed practice?

We are joined by Sarah, CAVDAS Alliance Manager, to shed light on what trauma-informed practice is and why it matters. Sarah has led Barod's journey towards becoming a trauma-informed organisation and has played a key role in embedding this approach across the delivery of multiple substance use services throughout Wales.

Sarah walks us through the different forms of trauma, how this may present itself within people accessing our services and why implementing a trauma-informed approach is crucial to the delivery of harm reduction services. We also discuss how we measure the approach's impact and effectiveness, as well as some hints and tips for listeners who may be starting on their own journey of implementing such an approach within their own organisation.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.

Contents of the video:

(00:00) Highlights of the episode

(01:11) Introduction

(02:13) What is trauma-informed practice?

(05:02) Different forms of trauma and what does it look like?

(12:50) Is a trauma-informed approach more important than ever?

(16:15) Are there elements within service delivery that can retraumatise people?

(19:29) How do measure a trauma-informed approach's impact?

(28:29) Challenges of embedding a trauma-informed approach within services

(31:10) Tips to start the journey of instilling a trauma-informed approach