Trauma Informed Organisational Consultancy and Staff Supervision in Forensic Services

Abstract

Forensic mental health, custodial and community forensic services provide care and treatment to individuals with complex histories and needs including the presence of trauma. With increased attention being paid to delivering trauma informed care, this paper presents a framework for supporting safe and effective service delivery. It details ways in which trauma informed organizational consultation and trauma informed staff supervision and reflective practice should be embedded within criminal justice and forensic mental health service delivery. Together these support reflection, learning, decision making and intentional action, helping to meet an organization’s duty of care to both staff and clients. Trauma informed organizational consultation and trauma informed forensic staff supervision and reflective practice provide ways to anticipate and address possible iatrogenic impacts on staff (e.g. burnout, presenteeism and sickness) and on clients (e.g. dropping out of treatment). Together these can enable services to provide and sustain authentic approaches to delivering safe and effective care.