Staff Experiences of Their Journey with Trauma-Informed Care in Homeless Services

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A paradigm shift in the homelessness sector has been called for given the high prevalence of trauma for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and the challenging conditions for staff working in the sector. Trauma-informed care (TIC) has been increasingly introduced in homelessness services since the conceptualisation of the framework in 2001 (Harris & Fallot, 2001). Nevertheless, there remains an evidence gap in our understanding of the transition to TIC, particularly in a UK context. Consequently, the aim of this project is to explore the experiences of staff transitioning towards TIC as a contribution towards closing this gap. METHODOLOGY: A critical realist epistemology served as the foundation to qualitatively explore staff experiences of their journey with TIC in the homelessness sector. The study utilised a trauma-informed research approach to conduct semi-structured interviews with 16 staff from various homelessness organisations across the UK. FINDINGS: Three main themes were generated using reflexive thematic analysis. First, ‘connecting with TIC through trauma itself’ revealed the need to address a traumatised sector; staff experiences of emotional resonance with TIC and how TIC supports staff in their work. Second, ‘relationships at the heart of the TIC journey’ highlighted the importance of client-guided TIC journeys; mechanisms of coming together in TIC and the limits of collectivism in TIC. Third, ‘where there is challenge, there is also hope’ reflected the systemic challenges faced by staff but also the hope and potential for TIC to transform service delivery, emphasising TIC as a lifelong journey. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The study offers rich insights into staff experiences of their journey in TIC. Strengths and limitations of the study are noted. Recommendations for services include collective care, utilisation of psychological practitioners to support TIC and increasing evaluation practices of TIC in services. Further recommendations for policies and government include co-production, national TIC policies and increased funding for the homelessness sector. Future research may benefit from longitudinal designs to explore TIC journeys at different time points.