The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has released guidance which provides a definition of trauma-informed practice. It features key principles of trauma-informed practice and how it can be built into services and systems. This is an essential guide for professionals who come into contact with people with lived experiences that trigger an ongoing trauma response. In regulatory law, this is a feature which we often encounter in our cases, particularly with vulnerable registrants, respondents or witnesses.

Key takeaways

The new guidance makes the point that trauma-informed practice aims to increase practitioners’ awareness of how trauma can negatively impact individuals and communities and their ability to feel safe. Trauma-informed practices acknowledges the need to see beyond an individual’s presenting behaviours to ask: “what does this person need” as opposed to “what is wrong with this person”.

There are six aspects which form the heart of a trauma based approach:

• safety
• trustworthiness
• choice
• collaboration
• empowerment
• cultural considerations.

Comment

Regulators have done a lot of work in this area already, but such a clear reminder about the importance of awareness in the approach taken is most welcome, as unfortunately, it is very easy to re-victimise individuals through the legal process and this applies to regulation as much as it does to any area of law. At Capsticks we acknowledge the steps that regulators are taking in recognising and addressing this.

How Capsticks can help

We have represented numerous regulators for more than 20 years. Our large team of specialists has a vast amount of experience in investigating and preparing cases for hearing, as well as growing team of advocates who present cases before panels and tribunals. All of our lawyers and advocates receive specific vulnerable witness training. 

For more information on any of the issues discussed in this insight, please contact Nimi Bruce or any of your regular contacts at Capsticks.