The national safeguarding practice review Protecting all vulnerable babies better reinforces that trauma informed practice is not an optional approach but a core safeguarding requirement. Understanding how trauma can shape behaviour is essential to protecting unborn babies and infants, particularly where families are hard to reach or reluctant to engage. A trauma informed system increases the chances of earlier intervention, more effective support and improved outcomes for children and families.
Trauma is explicitly defined and explored
The review includes a dedicated section, “What is trauma and trauma‑informed practice?”, recognising trauma as a critical factor shaping parental behaviour, engagement, and trust in professionals.
Trauma may relate to the continuing and cumulative impact of past adverse experiences, including intervention by services – particularly statutory services and, in some cases, the (repeat) removal of children. It is inherently personal and encompasses a wide spectrum of experiences.
Non-engagement is frequently trauma related
A key learning point is that parental non‑engagement should not be assumed to be deliberate resistance. Reframing non-engagement as a possible trauma response encourages professionals to consider what might help parents feel safer and more able to trust.
Trauma Informed Practice is essential to effective safeguarding
The review emphasises that safeguarding systems must work towards being trauma‑literate and trauma‑responsive, rather than expecting compliance as a prerequisite for support. Trauma informed approaches are identified as essential to:
- building relationships with parents who struggle to engage
- understanding parental behaviour in context
- reducing repeat risk and cycles of harm
- improving opportunities for early intervention and prevention.
National recommendations to strengthen Trauma Informed Practice
The review calls for national guidance to:
- include a clear definition of trauma
- support consistent adoption of trauma informed practice across safeguarding partners
- strengthen pre-birth safeguarding with an explicit understanding of parental trauma and its impact on engagement and risk assessment