New research from Queen’s University is calling for the adoption of a trauma informed approach across all systems, organisations, policies and services in Northern Ireland, for the benefit of all. The research was conducted by a team from the School of SSESW led by Dr Suzanne Mooney (front row, centre) and was commissioned by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, with funding from the cross-Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC).

The Safeguarding Board has been supporting workforces and organisations to become trauma informed since 2018. They commissioned the research to gauge progress in embedding trauma informed practice. It found that such approaches improve outcomes for service users and their families, including better relationships with providers and access to the right support at the right time. There were also benefits for staff and organisations, including increased job satisfaction and support and reduced staff sickness and turnover, leading to potential cost savings in the longer term. 

The resulting report, We are on a Journey: Implementing Trauma Informed Approaches in Northern Ireland, recommends governmental commitment through a trauma informed strategy for Northern Ireland. The authors recommend establishing a regional Trauma Informed Approach resource centre or hub and a trauma-related training framework promoting learning and best practice consistency across services and settings. 

Representatives from EPPOC’s cross-party Political Advisory Group said: “People in our society experience adversity and trauma in a range of ways, so it is important that we adopt a trauma informed approach across our systems if we want to support those who need it most. By doing so, we will improve the life chances for all of society and create the conditions for children and adults to thrive.” 

The importance of adopting such a systemic approach was emphasised by Bernie McNally, Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland: “Early adversity and trauma can negatively impact on individuals and communities and their ability to feel safe and to develop trusting relationships. We all deserve to live in a society that prioritises trauma responsive environments, policies, systems and services, that can benefit local people and communities.” 

The research included an international literature review, an online survey, focus groups and sector-specific case studies from Fane Street Primary School, the Salvation Army, the Youth Justice Agency, and the Belfast HSC Trust Health Inclusion Service for homeless people. 

Suzanne Mooney said: “Trauma informed approaches were universally perceived as having ‘no downsides’. They provide many benefits for service users and their family/network, but also for staff and service providers. These are critical issues in light of workforce recruitment and retention challenges across Northern Ireland.”  

More information and the report are available at We are on a Journey: Trauma Informed Approaches in Northern Ireland.