Trauma Informed Organisations

This 10-week, 20-hour course introduces professionals and aspiring practitioners to the principles and practices of trauma-informed organisational care.

The module covers the legislative and ethical responsibilities related to trauma-informed care, including key frameworks such as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010.

Learners will explore the impact of trauma on individuals and organisations, focusing on vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout.

The course emphasizes the importance of creating psychologically safe workplaces and embedding trauma-informed principles into organisational policies and practices.

Through real-world case studies, guest speakers, and facilitated group discussions, learners will critically evaluate their own workplace practices and develop strategies to support staff wellbeing and organisational resilience.

The module also addresses issues of unconscious bias, structural discrimination, and the role of cultural safety in trauma-informed care.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to foster a trauma-informed culture within their organisations.

Learning and teaching

On successful completion of the module, a student will be able to:

• Explain the principles of trauma-informed organisational practice
• Identify the legislative and ethical responsibilities relating to trauma-informed care for both staff and service users
• Recognise the signs and risks of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout
• Apply reflective tools to assess and improve trauma-informed policies and workplace culture
• Demonstrate awareness of how unconscious bias, structural discrimination, and organisational power can impact trauma survivors
• Propose actions to support staff wellbeing and organisational resilience

Coursework and assessment

Type of assessment	% Contribution	Title
Summative	30%	Weekly Contributions to a Reflective learning journal
Summative	70%	Trauma Informed Practice - Case Study Presentation

Reading suggestions

• Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
• The Equality Act 2010
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• NICE Guidelines on PTSD and workplace stress
• Trauma-Informed Wales: A Societal Approach to Understanding Trauma – Public Health Wales
• NHS England – Supporting Staff Through Trauma
• Organisational Trauma and Healing – Patricia Vivian
• Trauma Stewardship – Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
• Local policy guidance from Welsh Government and third-sector trauma-informed charters
• Resources from ACEs Hub Wales and National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH)

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.