Key principles of a trauma informed approach

Instead of following lots of strict rules, a trauma-informed approach focuses on a few important ideas:

Safety

Everyone should feel safe.

This means:

  • the building feels safe
  • people feel safe in their body and mind
  • staff are kind and help others feel calm.

Trust

People should feel they can trust the service.

This means:

  • being honest and open
  • explaining decisions clearly
  • building good relationships with staff, families, and clients.

Working together (collaboration)

Everyone works together as a team.

This means:

  • listening to each other
  • sharing ideas and decisions
  • respecting everyone’s voice.

We know that people heal best when they feel heard and supported.

Empowerment

We help people feel strong and confident.

This means:

  • noticing their strengths
  • helping them build new skills
  • encouraging them to believe in themselves.

Choice

Everyone should have choices.

This means:

  • listening to what each person wants
  • understanding that everyone is different
  • supporting people to make their own decisions.