This document aims to share practice among Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) and with sector partners for implementing programmes to develop and embed Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP). There are 20 Violence Reduction Units across England and Wales funded to bring together local partners to tackle the drivers of serious violence in their area. VRUs work with partners to develop a whole-systems approach which includes capacity building and delivering a range of early intervention and prevention programmes to divert children and young people away from involvement in serious violence.

The document is not a prescriptive or comprehensive list of requirements for implementation, nor is it formal ‘guidance’. TIP is often described as a ‘journey without a destination’ as it requires constant reflection and adaptation by practitioners and services to meet the needs of individuals, their specific histories, experiences and awareness of the wider circumstances which may contribute to their (re-)traumatisation. As such this document can only reflect what we have learned so far, and will likely need to be updated, reflected upon and adapted to suit different locations, organisations and services’ needs. Its aim is to help VRUs and partners learn from each other’s findings, ideas, and challenges.