Interpersonal childhood trauma and the use of the therapeutic community in recovery

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to explore an integrated therapeutic care approach for a group of children and young people who have experienced chronic and enduring interpersonal trauma.Design/methodology/approach – This paper aims to emphasise the need to routinely assess for that which could have been relationally traumatic, as this is the context in which many looked‐after children's and young people's developmental experiences occur. In particular, it explores the need to have trauma‐informed assessments, clinically effective interventions based on this knowledge, and the need to ensure that a therapeutically enabling environment and organisational functioning is maintained, in order to improve outcomes. It builds on existing work on trauma systems theory, both within an organisational context and within a holistic completely integrated (therapy/assessment, care, education) residential child care treatment process.Findings – This research raises consideration of the manner in which interpersonally traumati...