Cambridge University Hospitals – Relational Practice & Trauma-Informed Training

We were commissioned by Cambridge University Hospitals to design and deliver bespoke training and facilitation for a multidisciplinary team working with vulnerable children and families. The service provides long-term care from pre-birth through to adolescence (16–18 years), so staff wanted to strengthen their relational approach, ensuring inclusivity and better outcomes for children and families over many years of contact.

Participants included a wide range of staff — administrators, nurses, occupational therapists, consultants, and surgeons — reflecting the complexity of care and the importance of a whole-team approach.

The training explored how values such as inclusivity, trust, and collaboration underpin relational and trauma-informed practice. It also addressed how clinical decision-making and family experiences are shaped by identity, culture, and systemic barriers.

By the end of the training, participants were able to:

• Analyse how social identities and unconscious bias affect clinical decision-making and equitable care
• Identify how beliefs shape perceptions of congenital differences, treatment decisions, and acceptance of variations
• Understand how patients and families navigate healthcare pathways and the impact of trauma on decision-making
• Recognise the long-term nature of care involving multiple MDT practitioners and the need for coordinated support
• Develop culturally responsive communication strategies and navigate common clinical challenges

Why it was helpful
The training equipped staff with the tools to:

• Approach care through a more relational and inclusive lens
• Provide consistent, trauma-informed support across different disciplines
• Build stronger relationships with families through culturally responsive communication
• Work more collaboratively across professional boundaries, reducing fragmentation in care

This bespoke programme strengthened the team’s ability to deliver compassionate, coordinated, and inclusive care for children and families navigating complex healthcare journeys.