£1.35 million for trauma training

More support for front line workers responding to psychological trauma has been announced by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

An additional  £1.35 million from the Scottish Government will be invested to create a national training programme, developed for workers supporting people who have had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and traumatic experiences in adulthood, such as physical or sexual abuse.

The programme will be led and coordinated by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) who will work with partners, including people with lived experience, to create and deliver quality training resources.

Mr Swinney said:

“Almost one in five adults has experienced physical or sexual abuse in their childhood, and more than a quarter of all women have experienced domestic abuse.

“These traumatic experiences can have long-lasting effects on people’s lives which is why preventing them, and helping children and adults overcome them, is a priority for the Scottish Government.

“This training will give front line workers the knowledge, skills and confidence they need when responding to people affected by adversity and trauma – giving choice and control to people who need it most.” 

Sandie Barton Director of Operations, Rape Crisis Scotland said: “Rape Crisis Scotland is delighted with the announcement of this new funding which will enable a more confident and knowledgeable workforce. We know from survivors of sexual violence that having trauma informed services that listen and respond with sensitivity can make all the difference to their recovery."

Martin Crewe Director Barnardo’s Scotland said:  "We are delighted with today’s announcement of funding to support implementation of the National Trauma Training Framework. We have consistently highlighted the need for a clear strategy for the roll out of the Framework, with a focus on the children and young people’s workforce. 

"This announcement shows a strong commitment from the Scottish Government and is an important step towards ensuring we have a trauma-informed workforce able to recognise, respond to, and support children, young people and their families who have experienced trauma.”

Mary Glasgow Interim Chief Executive Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity said: “Today’s new funding is fantastic news for children, families and communities across Scotland.  Skilling up support workers to sensitively recognise, respond to and support parents to recover from their own unresolved childhood trauma can prevent and protect children from harmful experiences and strengthen communities - which benefits us all.”

Background

Training will be consistent with “Transforming Psychological Trauma”, the first Knowledge and Skills Framework for the Scottish workforce, published last year. The Framework is incorporated into a number of Scottish Government strategies and policies, including Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, Justice in Scotland: Vision & Priorities and the Equally Safe Strategy.

The three-year Scottish Government funding package aims to provide direct training to over 5,000 people across all sectors of the Scottish workforce. A national trauma training plan will be created and published before the end of 2018.

Specific projects have been identified to raise awareness of handling trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences amongst medical professionals and within the criminal justice system, including  work to improve interview procedures for child witnesses. 

In September 2017, the Scottish Government set out its commitment to better preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and where ACEs have occurred, to help children and adults overcome these experiences and build resilience.  In March 2018 the Deputy First Minister hosted an event to discuss future action on ACEs with people working across a wide range of sectors in Scotland. Proposed areas for action included developing a trauma-informed workforce: /aces-event-2018/