This project or publication was produced before or during the merger of What Works for Children’s Social Care (WWCSC) and the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF).
In this study, we investigated the perceived benefits of trauma-informed care for improving the outcomes of children known to children’s social care.
Trauma-informed care was originally introduced to help engage vulnerable individuals in evidence-based mental health treatments. It has since been expanded to a broad set of principles that have been adopted by schools, child protection services and the criminal justice system. This expansion reflects widespread enthusiasm for the trauma-informed principles and optimism that their use will lead to measurable benefits for children and adults.
However, we still do not yet know if these benefits can be realised, especially in the absence of trauma-specific treatments. Given the growing enthusiasm and investment in trauma-informed approaches, we believe this knowledge is essential for guiding future national policies and local practice decisions aimed at supporting vulnerable families through public services.
The aim of this study is to consider how trauma-informed care is currently being used by English children’s social care teams so that its key components and intended benefits can be better understood, with the aim of informing future evaluations. In doing so, this study combines a mapping exercise with in-depth interviews to answer four specific questions:
We partnered with What Works Children’s Social Care to investigate four questions:
We considered these questions through a mixed-methods study involving a mapping survey and in-depth interviews completed by Principal Social Workers from 10 children’s social care teams.
Findings
Recommendations
We need a clear and consistent definition of trauma-informed care. Central government departments, including the Department for Education, the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, should work together to agree a core definition of trauma-informed care.
The benefits of trauma-informed care must be identified and evaluated. Government departments should prioritise robust evaluation of models of trauma-informed training and practice in different service contexts.
Trauma-informed care should never be used as a replacement for evidence-based, trauma-specific treatments. The availability of effective, trauma-specific interventions should be prioritised and linked to any future investment in trauma-informed care.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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