Key Unlocking Futures Support Services Manager Claire Moxham discusses developing and embedding a trauma-informed approach where people can speak out, be listened to and feel respected. 

 

"We recently did a piece of work on a trauma-informed way of working with people that focussed on their strengths rather than highlighting their weaknesses. We reflected on our working practices and examined whether we enabled people to look beyond their immediate and real problems and dare to conceive a future that inspires them, providing hope that things can improve.

 

"Traditional ways of working focus on the problems and how to fix them without understanding that people aren't ready to give up the things that help them cope. We wanted to do more than fix. Many of the people we work with use drugs, alcohol or self-harm to cope with traumatic experiences, to forget about the situation they find themselves in, and need something to get them through. It's difficult for people to move on from a place of shame and feelings of failure. We needed to focus on listening and hearing people, then providing what they need to make whatever difference they want to make in their lives.

 

"Services often deliver to the low common denominator – making people jump through hoops to prove they can look after themselves. There is an assumption that, because you have been referred to a service, you have no skills or life experience and that we are the experts on your life and what is best for you. There is a culture of professionals as experts.

 

"Constant needs and risk assessments make people feel humiliated at best and traumatised at worst. Just imagine having to tell your own painful stories repeatedly. Disclosing personal information to someone you have only just met. People reported feeling powerless to refuse to answer questions that triggered sadness, hopelessness and embarrassment. 

 

"We thought about power dynamics. Key's team is good at forming relationships with the people they support. However, the feedback we had received was that people accessing services felt they couldn't be completely honest. People wouldn't attend appointments or avoid phone calls if they had arrears. I've heard people say how clients can be manipulative, but we need to recognise that in a traditional support setting, we have the power to influence outcomes that could affect their lives.

 

Most of us work with people because we want to help; we know the solutions and can get them sorted in no time. We "fix" their problems because it is easier for us to do it. We are the experts.

 

"This approach leads to feelings of failure and shame. Feelings of being powerless and not in control of their future, which then leads to a lack of motivation. It leads to them becoming labelled – homeless, drug /alcohol dependent, mental health, complex needs, and hard to engage.

A body of evidence proves that if you focus continually on somebody's weaknesses, you only get so far, personal development/ progress is limited, and people are unlikely to sustain the change.

 

"At Key Unlocking Futures, we focus on building relationships with people and on people's strengths, and we build upon what people are good at. Once people have evidence that they can succeed, it improves internal motivation, and change will likely be sustained. It's this approach that works, and things will get better for people if we can provide hope that things can improve."

 

20th to 24th of November is Safeguarding Adults Week. Led and run by Ann Craft Trust, the campaign aims to raise awareness around key safeguarding issues and practices. The week focuses on sharing information, resources and guidance around how individuals and organisations can safeguard themselves and others. 

 

Key Unlocking Futures is a charity which provides advice, counselling and housing support services to young people, vulnerable young adults, adults and mediation services for families.