Aims
To help peer support workers understand the principles of trauma-informed care
Section 1
Competences covered in this unit:
Knowledge that the experience of trauma is part of the life story of many people with mental health problems.
Knowledge that people can be re-traumatised by negative experiences of services, and the impact of this on their ability or motivation to connect with and use services.
Knowledge that trauma-informed care involves ensuring that people who use services can feel that:
- their physical and emotional safety is being addressed
- they have choice and control over their treatment
- they are part of collaborative care (that decisions about their care are made jointly)
- providers of care are trustworthy
- each contact validates and affirms them as individuals, and so empowers them
Knowledge that trauma-informed care involves developing and maintaining a relationship that helps people to feel safe telling their story.