A Practical Guide to Trauma-Informed Safeguarding
- rachmunda
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Trauma-informed safeguarding is about recognising the impact of trauma on individuals and adapting our approach to provide support in a way that promotes safety, empowerment, and healing. Many adults at risk have experienced significant abuse, neglect, or distressing life events, and these experiences shape how they engage with services. A person's behaviour might not be about being "challenging" or "non-compliant"—it could be a manifestation of past trauma, a survival response triggered by their experiences.
By embedding trauma-informed practice into safeguarding, we can build trust, encourage engagement, and reduce re-traumatisation.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to distressing or life-threatening experiences. It can result from:
Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect)
Domestic violence
Bullying or harassment
Exploitation (modern slavery, trafficking, cuckooing, coercion)
Discrimination, oppression, and systemic injustice
Sudden bereavement or significant loss
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Trauma doesn’t just affect emotions—it can shape a person’s sense of safety, trust in others, and ability to engage with services.
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The Principles of Trauma-Informed Safeguarding
1️⃣ Safety – Ensure physical, emotional, and psychological safety in every interaction.
2️⃣ Trust & Transparency – Be honest, clear, and predictable in communication and decision-making.
3️⃣ Empowerment & Choice – Respect autonomy, give people control where possible, and avoid forcing engagement.
4️⃣ Collaboration – Work with individuals rather than doing to them; involve them in decisions about their support.
5️⃣ Cultural & Historical Awareness – Understand how social, cultural, and systemic factors shape trauma and trust in services.
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Recognising Trauma Responses in Safeguarding
People who have experienced trauma may:
🔹 Withdraw – Avoid engagement due to fear or distrust.
🔹 Seem resistant or uncooperative – A survival response, not deliberate defiance.
🔹 Display aggression or frustration – A reaction to feeling powerless or unsafe.
🔹 Struggle with memory or communication – Trauma can affect cognitive processing.
🔹 Make choices that seem harmful – Self-neglect or risk-taking may be coping mechanisms.
Instead of labelling behaviour as "difficult," ask what has happened to this person, not what is wrong with them.
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Practical Ways to Apply Trauma-Informed Safeguarding
✅ Use compassionate, non-judgmental language
Instead of "non-compliant," consider "reluctant to engage due to past experiences."
Avoid blaming or punitive approaches.
✅ Create a sense of predictability
Explain what will happen next.
Be transparent about decision-making processes.
✅ Give people choices and control
Offer options rather than issuing instructions.
Respect refusals and revisit conversations when appropriate.
✅ Be aware of power dynamics
Approach individuals as equal partners in their own safeguarding journey.
Avoid coercion or forcing interventions unless absolutely necessary.
✅ Build trust gradually
Small, positive interactions help develop rapport.
Acknowledge past negative experiences with services.
✅ Avoid re-traumatisation
Be mindful of triggers, such as environments that resemble past abuse.
Ensure safeguarding assessments and interventions are sensitive and respectful.
✅ Provide emotional support
Recognise distress and validate emotions.
Signpost to mental health and trauma recovery services.
✅ Work collaboratively
Engage with advocacy services, trauma specialists, and community support networks.
Multi-agency working helps provide holistic support.
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How Organisations Can Embed Trauma-Informed Safeguarding
📌 Training – Ensure staff understand trauma and how it influences behaviour.
📌 Supervision & Support – Provide reflective spaces for staff to process difficult cases.
📌 Policy & Practice Reviews – Embed trauma-informed principles into safeguarding procedures.
📌 Staff Wellbeing – Recognise the emotional impact of safeguarding work and offer support.
📌 Service User Involvement – Involve individuals with lived experience in shaping policies and practices.
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Trauma-Informed Safeguarding is About More Than Just Protection
It’s about understanding, supporting, and empowering. When we approach safeguarding through a trauma-informed lens, we build better relationships, reduce distress, and improve outcomes for adults at risk.
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