Trauma Informed Approaches for Children and Young People
We’re bringing together partners from health, social care and the voluntary sector to create a kinder, more supportive system for children, young people and families in Bolton.
This project aims to:
- Build a shared understanding of what a trauma‑informed approach looks like
- Explore how leaders and teams can help make positive change
- Agree the key principles and priorities for a local framework
- Bring everyone together behind one shared way of working before we move into delivery
Our goal is to make sure families get the understanding, care and support they need, wherever they are in the system.
Domestic Abuse Service Led Development
SafeLives is a UK charity working to end domestic abuse for everyone, for good.
We work with organisations across the country to improve how domestic abuse is addressed. Our approach is survivor-led – we listen to people with lived experience and put their voices at the centre.
We’re running a project in Bolton to understand how domestic abuse services, and those working closely with them, are using trauma-informed and ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) approaches. Our goal is to learn what’s working well, where there are gaps, and what can be improved. This will help create stronger support systems and better outcomes for people using services.
We’ll do this by:
- Talking to organisations and stakeholders
- Checking how ready each organisation is for trauma-informed practice
- Offering support based on what’s needed
We’ll also create a clear baseline for each organisation, showing key insights and common themes.
Foundational ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and Trauma training
Foundational ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and Trauma training gives participants the chance to understand more about the impact that trauma has on the way that people see the world and live their lives. It is delivered as a half-day training. The topics covered in the training include:
- Understand ACEs, what they are and how they can impact people
- Recognise the important role that protective factors play in a person’s life
- Understanding the impact of someone’s stress response because of trauma and how it impacts people throughout life
- How trauma impacts child development
- The importance of trauma-informed practice in our work
Training is now available to all staff and volunteers working in Bolton. Bespoke training is also available to individual organisations that would like training specific to their work.
Trauma Informed Practice - Communities
VCSE organisations in Bolton have worked together to co‑design a Trauma‑Informed Toolkit. This practical toolkit helps organisations begin their journey towards embedding trauma‑informed practice in their own settings.
Compassion Circle, led by A Brilliant Thing CIC, supports VCSE organisations across Bolton to build healing‑centred and trauma‑informed ways of working. Through workshops, team support and networking, the project is:
- Building a supportive Community of Practice
- Delivering a learning programme to strengthen and support the sector
- Developing Advocates and Supporters who champion compassionate practice
Together, these tools and activities help create safer, more understanding and connected organisations across Bolton.
Trauma Informed Schools
In 2022, Bolton Council Public Health partnered with Knowledge Change Action (KCA) to pilot a Trauma‑Informed Schools Framework in a local secondary school. The project helped the school build a culture where understanding ACEs and trauma shapes everyday practice, relationships, and support for pupils.
The pilot aimed to:
- Embed a practical trauma‑informed approach
- Equip staff with confidence to recognise and respond to trauma
- Strengthen policies, systems and leadership through a structured change‑management model
Bolton’s Trauma-Informed Schools Pilot evaluation, carried out by the National Institute for Health Research (Public Health Intervention Research Studies Team - PHIRST), raises awareness of its impact, and shares how trauma-informed approaches can be developed further across education settings. Link to report in resources section.
Why It Matters
ACEs and trauma can affect a child’s development, behaviour and learning. But schools that take a whole‑school, trauma‑informed approach create safer, calmer, and more supportive environments where pupils can thrive.
Benefits include:
- Improved wellbeing for pupils and staff
- Better engagement, behaviour and learning
- Stronger relationships with families and services
- Earlier identification and support for children affected by trauma
This approach also strengthens partnership working across education, health, social care and VCSE organisations.
