Trauma informed training

We’ve collaborated with Scottish Government and other stakeholders to develop trauma informed training for solicitors. Trauma informed knowledge is essential to elevate your client care skills within many practice areas including Family law, Criminal law, Child law and Personal Injury.

Coercive Control and the Law - A Trauma Informed Approach

In 2019 coercive control became a criminal offence under the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018 which recognises domestic abuse as a pattern of behaviour and course of conduct crime.

With domestic abuse numbers rising it is important members not only understand the changing criminal and civil laws but the impact this trauma can have on clients. This animation and CPD reflection module provides important yet simple steps to support you and your clients.

Specialist support organisations

You can access further information, specialist training and support for your clients from the following websites:

Other freely accessible animations

In order to develop your skills and practice, review the following free access vimeos from Scottish Government, NHS Education Scotland and Police Scotland which can be claimed as private study CPD.

Opening Doors : Trauma Informed Practice for the Workforce

Sowing Seeds: Trauma Informed Practice for Anyone Working with Children and Young People

Trauma and the Brain: Taking evidence

Further Training Resources

Vulnerable Witnesses and Vulnerable Accused

Our Vulnerable Witnesses Roadshow will return in due course.

You can gain updates on both current Vulnerable Witnesses legislation and best practice in our online learning module as well as guidance on working with the vulnerable accused.

Find out more and book.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

We have collated two recent Journal articles on the understanding of the biological science of the impact of childhood trauma on the developing brain written for the legal profession to gain further awareness of adverse childhood experiences (“ACEs”).

Kindness in Court: Who Cares?

When Four Aces is a Bad Hand

Useful resources to avoid re-traumatising witnesses

Toolkits: The Advocate’s Gateway (TAG) provides free access to practical, evidence-based guidance on vulnerable witnesses

In the following 3 videos Dr Caroline Bruce Principal Educator at NHS Education for Scotland, Clinical Psychologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer:

highlights the impact of psychological trauma on the perceived credibility of a witness
offers a definition and explanation of re-traumatisation within the criminal justice context, and some examples of where explicitly trauma informed practice can help prevent it
highlights the ways that witnessing or experiencing traumatic events can affect a person’s “window of tolerance”, and that using trauma informed practice to help a witness stay within their window of tolerance can also support them to give evidence most effectively

Part One: Trauma and Credibility

Part Two: Trauma Informed Approaches

Part Three: Window of Tolerance

Look out for further training and resources being added on the following topics:

Domestic abuse for family lawyers: protective orders and child matters
Trauma in personal injury practice: Handling historic abuse cases
Vicarious Trauma