Evaluating trauma informed care training for services supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage

Abstract

Purpose Implementing trauma informed care (TIC) for individuals facing homelessness and multiple disadvantage is proposed to help both service users and staff work effectively and therapeutically together. However, the effectiveness of implementing TIC via training is debatable. This study aims to explore the effects of a four-day TIC and psychologically informed environments training package in such services. Design/methodology/approach The analysis explores the effect of this training on the degree of TIC as measured by the TICOMETER, a psychometrically robust organisational measure of TIC. The study examines group and individual level changes from before training and again at six-month and one-year follow-up time-points. Findings At the group level analysis, three of the five TICOMETER domains (knowledge and skills, relationships, and policies and procedures) were higher when compared to pre-training scores. The remaining two domains (service delivery and respect) did not improve. Individual-level analysis showed some participants’ scores decreased following training. Overall, the training appeared to modestly improve the degree of TIC as measured by the TICOMETER and these effects were sustained at one-year follow-up. Research limitations/implications Findings are limited by the design and low response rates at follow-up. Practical implications Training is necessary but not sufficient for the implementation of TIC and needs to be complemented with wider organisational and system-level changes. Originality/value This paper is the first UK study to use the TICOMETER.

Food provision to support improved nutrition and well-being of people experiencing disadvantage – perspectives of service providers

“…Minimal opportunities for training were also identified as barriers, especially in dealing with high numbers of people affected by trauma-related experiences ( 36 ) . Implementation of trauma-informed care and resilience-informed approaches to promote the health and well-being of people experiencing disadvantage is therefore imperative ( 37 , 38 ) . Providing training for staff and volunteers in mental health first aid and/or trauma-informed care (including personal empowerment and financial education) could further promote dignity and respect.…”

Evaluating the effectiveness of trauma-informed care training delivered to staff in community Older Adult Mental Health Services

“…The findings suggest that there may be a significant but limited gain to enhancing trauma-informed attitudes through training in samples where TIC-favourable attitudes are already relatively established. Burge et al (2021) discussed the importance of TIC training being supplemented with wider system and cultural change, given an individual's trauma-informed attitudes may be of limited benefit if the systems they are working in remain trauma-uninformed. Therefore, provision of training, even across the organisation, should not be equated to the organisation becoming trauma-informed.…”

Implementing psychologically informed environments in homelessness services: a qualitative exploration of staff teams’ self-assessments

“…Staff were encouraged to consider vicarious trauma (McCann and Pearlman, 1990) and their responses, as individuals and as a service. All four days were in keeping with the PIE approach, but the TIC elements were evaluated separately (Burge et al , 2021 for full evaluation).…”