South Lanarkshire Council has pledged to provide employees with training on trauma.
It was announced at this week's 'employee issues' forum that the council are to launch a series of projects aimed at informing employees.
This is in line with the Scottish Government ambition to educate all employers, including local authorities, in ensuring all aspects of service are trauma-informed and responsive to both employees and customers.
The council has signed the Leadership Pledge of Support and will commit to embedding trauma-enforced principles and practice throughout services.
Links have been made with the national Trauma Champions Network, is supported by Improvement Service as well as the pan-Lanarkshire Trauma Steering Group.
A South Lanarkshire steering group has also been developed to oversee and coordinate trauma training development and implementation.
This will be chaired by the head of service for adults and older people with a range of bodies and services represented.
There are also plans to submit a request to the finance and corporate resource committee next month to request approval for additional funding.
That will be used to create a two-year development officer post to coordinate the implementation of trauma-informed practice across the authority.
Councillor Gerry Convery welcomed the plans, but expressed concern, saying: “That’s a good report, it’s a worthwhile project, it’s good to see it.
“The only caveat I’d put in is that I hope there’s not going to be meeting after meeting after meeting.
“With this new coordinator, we need to let them get to the core phase where people actually need the help, because we set all these things up and all we do is sit and talk. That’s not what it should be about.
"It should be hands on and let the workforce know that if they’re in trauma they know where to go and there’s a friendly face at the other side of the door.”
It is widely recognised that services underpinned by trauma-informed staff can support the resilience and recovery of people.
A framework has been developed for the Scottish workforce to support employers with introducing trauma training.
The framework is supported by NHS Education Scotland, COSLA and the Improvement Service with the focus on staff wellbeing and to provide guidance on taking a trauma informed perspective to service provision.
East Kilbride West councillor Monique McAdams questioned the potential progress of the framework.
She said: “I welcome the report, I think that national frameworks are important, and my only downside seems to be that they don’t ever seem to get to the end point with anything.
“So, what are we going to do to make sure we do our bit?”
At the meeting, it was stated that there are ongoing discussions on identifying an action plan, however, it will be of high importance that discussions will be related to practical works on the ground.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
