Blog: Trauma Informed Practice
Why should colleges and universities adopt a trauma informed culture?
Trauma-informed colleges, universities and students’ associations understand that trauma is common, that it can impact people in many different ways. They work to put in place the structures, environments, policies, culture, relationships, services and responses that promote recovery. They also seek to address areas which can re-traumatise people and hinder recovery.
Being trauma-informed is about embedding values of safety, choice, collaboration, empowerment and trust into all aspects of a college or university: the physical environment, every contact, relationship, interaction with staff and students. This requires collaboration and power sharing across the institution – and engagement with communities, sectors and local and national government priorities.
College Development Network’s work in this area recognizes how trauma affects neurological, biological, psychological and social development. It seeks to demonstrate ways in which a trauma informed approach can empower learners and help address the barriers that they face, so they can reach their potential.
The National Trauma Transformation Programme, along with the Scottish Government and COSLA launched a Roadmap for Creating Trauma-informed and Responsive Change in November 2023. It is based on evidence, learning and good practice, frameworks and guidance in the Scottish context.
A good way of working out which parts of your college or university are already trauma-informed and which areas you would like to strengthen or change is to walk through it in the shoes of someone who has experienced trauma. Appendix A of this roadmap asks:
- How safe does the physical environment feel?
- Could there be aspects of your college or university that are inadvertently triggering distress?
- Do interactions with staff and students affirm to the person that they’re valued and respected?
- Do they build trust, build on strengths? Do they empower?
It is important to collaborate with students in designing spaces they use and in co-producing trauma informed initiatives:
- Set up your services and systems so that students don’t have to tell and re-tell their story if they don’t want to.
- Establish a strong value base and learning culture – from recruitment practices through to induction, training, management, leadership, strategy and policy.
- Offer staff opportunities for reflective practice.
- Commit to embedding trauma informed ways of working – recognizing and celebrating what works well and strengthening areas which can work better.
During the March meeting of The Forum, Ayrshire College gave an excellent presentation on their work with students. This included the impact of adverse childhood experiences, the research and evidence base used to inform their methods, the training, strategies, policies and practical support taking place across the college. The trauma-informed approaches they focused on are essential for safe spaces, empowering relationships and supports to people who’ve experienced trauma in their lives. Ayrshire College’s presentation: Trauma Informed Practice – The What, Why and How.
