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NHS Education for Scotland

A skilled and sustainable workforce for a healthier Scotland

Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change

Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change

Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change

The National Trauma Transformation Programme (NTTP), which NES is a key partner, along with Scottish Government and COSLA has published its new Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change: Guidance for Organisations, Systems and Workforces in Scotland.

This resource is designed to be used flexibly and independently by services and organisations across all sectors of the workforce in Scotland, to help identify and reflect on progress, strengths and opportunities for embedding a trauma-informed and responsive approach across policy and practice.

It is based on evidence as well as learning and good practice from the Scottish context and existing relevant Scottish frameworks and guidance. It draws extensively on what people with lived experience of trauma have said would help:

  • improve access to support
  • reduce re-traumatisation
  • recognise resilience
  • support recovery

The resource also draws on what experts by profession and leaders across services/ organisations have told us would support them to implement a trauma-informed and responsive approach.

This resource is a part of a broader suite of resources available through our NTTP, which supports the Scottish Government and COSLA’s shared ambition for a trauma-informed workforce and services across Scotland. This is a major and long-term change programme which supports the implementation of sustainable, trauma-informed cultural and organisational change.

Dr Sandra Ferguson, Associate Director, Psychology said:

“The Roadmap is an essential next step towards the ambition of trauma informed and responsive organisations in line with Scottish Government and COSLA ambitions. It recognises the wider factors supporting implementation including culture and leadership but as a 'how to ' guide, it is flexible, transparent and evidence based.”

For more information about psychological trauma, its prevalence and impact and the wider work of the NTTP please visit the National Trauma transformation programme website.


November, 22 2023