Our Trauma-Informed Approach

At Support for Families, we have embedded a trauma-informed approach across our services to ensure that we create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for the individuals and families we work with.

Our approach is guided by the key principles of trauma-informed practice: safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

Our Approach

At S4F, we are committed to a trauma-informed and equality-driven approach - not only in the services we offer, but in the way we work together. We design every aspect of our organisation around the principles of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. We recognise that many of the children, young people, and families we support have experienced trauma, and we strive to create environments - within our team and across our community - where everyone feels secure, respected, and in control of their own journey toward healing and growth. This commitment extends to our workplace culture, ensuring that staff, volunteers, members, and partners are supported, valued, and treated equitably.

Our Key Areas of Focus
1. Promoting Equality

Age: Protects individuals from discrimination based on their age.
Disability: Safeguards those with physical or mental impairments that substantially affect their daily activities.
Gender Reassignment: Protects individuals who are transitioning from one gender to another.
Marriage and Civil Partnership: Protects individuals who are married or in a civil partnership from discrimination.
Pregnancy and Maternity: Protects women during pregnancy and maternity leave from discrimination.
Race: Includes colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins.
Religion or Belief: Protects individuals based on their religious beliefs or lack thereof.
Sex: Protects individuals from discrimination based on their gender
Sexual Orientation: Protects individuals based on their sexual orientation, including heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual orientations.

2. Addressing Poverty
No child, young person, or family should experience financial hardship that limits their opportunities in life.

Poverty means struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. Many children and young people in our communities face these challenges daily, impacting their education, mental health, and future prospects.

At S4F, we work to reduce the impact of poverty by:

Providing access to food, basic essentials, and support services.
Offering practical help to families in financial difficulty.
Creating opportunities for children and young people to thrive, regardless of their background.

3. Supporting Health and Wellbeing
Everyone deserves the best possible health and wellbeing. While physical health is essential, emotional and mental well-being are equally important. Many factors can affect mental health, including:

Bullying
Loneliness
Feeling judged or excluded
Financial stress

At S4F, we ensure everyone receives the right support by:

Providing a safe, non-judgmental space to discuss mental health and well-being.
Designing services in collaboration with children and young people.
Offering early intervention and support tailored to their needs.

4. Keeping Children and Young People Safe
Every child and young person has the right to grow up in a safe and secure environment. Safety extends beyond physical security to include emotional and psychological well-being. Children and young people may be at risk of:

Neglect or abuse
Exploitation
Harmful online experiences

At S4F, we are committed to:

Providing safe spaces where children and young people feel protected and valued.
Educating young people about their rights and ways to stay safe.
Supporting those who have experienced trauma, ensuring they receive the right care.
Working with families and communities to create safer environments.

5. Supporting Families Affected by a Loved One's Substance Abuse
Families can be deeply affected by a loved one’s substance use, whether it involves alcohol or drugs. This can lead to feelings of stress, confusion, isolation, and anxiety.

At S4F, we believe that no one should face this alone. We provide:

A safe space where you can talk openly about their experiences.
Support groups and counselling to help process emotions and develop coping strategies.
Guidance on how to navigate relationships with loved ones struggling with substance use.
Advocacy and links to additional services that can provide further support to affected families.

6. Volunteering and Skills Development

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to develop skills, gain experience, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Volunteering is a great way for people to build confidence, meet new people, and make a positive impact.

At S4F, we offer:

Volunteer roles in community projects: Helping with events, activities, and support services.
Peer support programs: Where volunteers can use their experiences to support others.
Training and skills development: Providing opportunities to gain new skills and boost employability.
Recognition and rewards: Celebrating the contributions of our volunteers and supporting their personal growth.

We encourage everyone to get involved and become active members of their communities through volunteering.

7. Community Café - Providing Food and Connection
Our recently launched Community Café provides free food and drinks to support families in the local community.

Access to nutritious food is essential for well-being, and our café offers a welcoming space where families can come together, enjoy a meal, and connect with others. The café provides:

Free food and hot drinks.
A warm, safe, and inclusive environment.
Support and signposting to other services.

Through our Community Café, we aim to reduce food insecurity, combat loneliness, and strengthen community connections.

To achieve this we have:

Welcoming & Inclusive Environment: From the moment individuals arrive, our staff create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Clients are greeted with kindness and offered a hot or cold drink to help them feel comfortable and valued. We believe that small gestures of hospitality foster a sense of dignity and respect.

Staff Training & Development: All staff and volunteers receive ongoing CPD training, including trauma training, helping them to understand the impact of trauma and respond in ways that promote healing and resilience.

Creating Safe Spaces: We ensure that our physical and emotional environments are welcoming, predictable, and inclusive for everyone. Our family room provides a calm, safe space to meet service users. We display posters affirming that everyone is welcome, valued, and accepted. Our staff team is committed to fostering a culture of respect and understanding.

Person-Centred Support: We understand that feeling in control, being heard, and having choices are crucial to trauma-informed support. Our person-centred approach prioritises the voices and autonomy of those we support. We offer flexibility in our service provision, ensuring that life’s challenges do not create a barrier to support.

Reflective Practice & Supervision: Our team engages in reflective practice to inform policies and service delivery. Staff receive regular supervision to ensure best practice and to support staff welfare. Our counsellor also undertakes monthly therapeutic supervision in line with BACP ethical requirements.

Collaboration & Partnerships: We work closely with other services, including mental health and social care providers, to ensure individuals receive holistic and coordinated support.

Continuous Improvement: We regularly seek feedback from service users and staff to refine our practices, ensuring we remain responsive to emerging needs and best practices in trauma-informed care.

Our commitment to a trauma-informed approach means that we do not just acknowledge trauma but actively work to mitigate its effects, helping individuals build resilience and move forward positively.