West Yorkshire partnership paving the way for trauma informed action

15th November 2021

Three high profile reports have today (15/11) been published, which will help tackle root causes of adversity, trauma and serious violence across West Yorkshire:-

Commissioned by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, they include.

• Addressing the root causes of serious violence and exploitation of young people in West Yorkshire: Summary of key findings and recommendations: June 2021, CREST
• Adversity Trauma and Resilience in West Yorkshire – a review of life-course evidence, approaches and provision to support the transformation to a trauma informed health and care system by 2030: September 2021, Mark Crowe, Jim Devereaux and Molly Jobson on behalf of Humankind
• Violence Against Women and Girls: A literature Review, September 2021, Megan Bennett

The reports have a specific focus on inequality, as well as women and girls. Each will underpin future partnership strategy for a ‘trauma informed’ response. This approach offers an awareness of the effects of trauma, placing it at the forefront of support.

Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing was a key speaker at event earlier and said:

“I know that the West Yorkshire VRU and our partners are already acting upon many of the recommendations emerging from these reports, making some really positive ground.

“It is crucial that we are able to collectively scrutinise our approach in this way and make sure we are all working towards the same goals that will ultimately keep our communities safe.

“The event generated some great discussion around many of the important points contained within the reports, whilst identifying the proactive steps we can take.

“By putting in place protective factors, changing environments and systems, we can together make a significant difference to people’s lives.”

Chief Executive of Bradford Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Adversity Trauma and Resilience Board, Kersten England also spoke at the launch and added:

“These reports will impact on the way we work together across the whole of West Yorkshire, with a real focus on how we keep people safe and supported. The better we understand the root causes of violence, exploitation and trauma, the better equipped we are to recognise the signs, realise the impact and provide the protection needed.

“The learning from the reports will boost the progress of our Bradford Adversity, Trauma and Resilience strategy. We are therefore delighted to have helped pull together the final reports and welcome the opportunity to continue building the case for early identification and timely intervention”

Rob Webster, CEO for West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership said:

“Developing a ‘trauma informed’ approach to our work is essential. I welcome these reports – they further help our understanding – which in turn means we can help more people. Access to training and much closer working with communities, the police and housing will ensure we better support people.

“Having compassionate, trauma informed services, means people may have an opportunity to lead a long, healthy life, free from the impact of trauma.”

Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh said:

“We must continue to respond to adversity, trauma and serious violence through a whole system approach, and these reports will really help us to achieve that.

“It will strengthen our joint commitment with the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to bring about better outcomes for our communities.

“It is important, however, that this collaborative work is sustained in a long-term strategy and the role of the VRU is central to this.”