HM Prison and Probation Service - Trauma Informed Practice

Delivered over 3 virtual sessions, this programme set out to explore the potential impact of Trauma, how practitioners can recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma and how we can respond to this on an individual and organisational perspective.  The training was targeted at Neuro-developmental Leads within a range of prison settings across the country and was a fascinating, challenging, highly valued programme. 

The first session of the programme set out to establish a clear understanding of trauma and the impact of Trauma on peoples neurological development using models such as the Upstairs/ Downstairs brain and Window of Tolerance.  We moved on to consider how people who have experienced trauma may present and the important tools to guide intervention including the 4r’s and the importance of ‘Connecting Before correcting’. 

The final session of the programme considered the application of a trauma informed approach with learners and was a space of great reflection and discussion given the challenging environment of the Prison service. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Developed shared understanding of Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's)
• Understand how trauma affects neurological development and shapes behaviour.
• Explore the impact of Trauma on people who are Neurodiverse and the overlap between trauma and neurodiversity.
• Develop a good understanding of interventions and key tools to support practitioners to engage with others.
• Explore principles and application of Trauma Informed Practice for Neuro-diversity practitioners as well as its application within the wider prison service.

Feedback received from learners was:

• “Thanks - very informative and useful”.
• “After this training I feel that I can develop some bote-size training sessions for colleagues within the prison service around Trauma, the impact of ACE’s and how to respond.”
• “Really interesting- Thankyou!!”
• “I really appreciated how the training could be tailored to fit the needs of us as learners and our experience, this really helped to make it engaging and really useful.”
• "Thanks - very informative and useful"