Understanding psychological theories within the SECURE STAIRS Framework for Integrated Care: An evaluation of training on attachment and developmental trauma within a secure children’s home

Abstract

The SECURE STAIRS Framework for Integrated Care was developed by NHS England as a way to promote a trauma-informed, evidence-based and whole system approach to children and young people accommodated in the Secure Estate. A pilot ‘Attachment and Developmental Trauma’ training module was developed by the Atkinson Secure Children’s Home in conjunction with members of the SECURE STAIRS Professional Collaboration Network (PCN). Fifty-six staff members working within a Secure Children’s Home in the North East of England completed the 2 day training. A pre and post evaluation method was utilised to analyse the results.The data indicated increased staff knowledge, understanding and confidence in attachment theory, developmental trauma, brain development and working with guilt and shame. The data also demonstrated the importance of safety and containment in the training environment in fostering opportunities to learn and grow. The need for ongoing training, supervision and reflective practice within the SECURE STAIRS Framework for Integrated Care is considered in order to consolidate knowledge and implement learning into practice.

The SECURE STAIRS Framework: Preliminary Evaluation of Trauma Informed Training Developments Within the Children and Young People’s Secure Estate

“…The framework can be considered a fundamental component in promoting the development of trauma informed care among multidisciplinary staff within SCHs. The efficacy of trauma informed training, as underpinned by the SECURE STAIRS framework, within SCHs is a new and evolving area and to the authors’ knowledge, there is limited existing research evaluating this area (Farooq et al, 2021 ).…”

“…As part of this process, a pilot of the ‘Attachment and Developmental Trauma’ training module within the TIPSS training was delivered to 56 members of staff within Kyloe House SCH (Farooq et al, 2021 ). This evaluation indicated significant post-training increases in knowledge of child and adolescent brain development, attachment theory and styles, developmental trauma, understanding of the role of guilt and shame in young people’s presentation, and confidence in ability to work in a trauma and attachment-informed way.…”