Exploring the knowledge base of trauma and trauma informed care of staff working in community residential accommodation for adults with an intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: Taking a trauma informed care approach has demonstrated positive outcomes for services for people in the general population. Given the increased vulnerability to psychological trauma for adults with an intellectual disability, this study explores what residential staff know about trauma and trauma informed care. METHODS: Thirty-two staffs representing three staff groups: direct care staff; managers; and specialist practitioners, were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, which were analysed following a structured framework. FINDINGS: Each staff group held different perspectives in their knowledge of trauma and trauma informed care. Limitations were noted in staffs' knowledge of trauma, implementation of evidence-based supports, and access to specialist services for adults with an intellectual disability. All participants highlighted their training needs regarding trauma. CONCLUSION: Increased training on recognising and responding to trauma is needed among community staff supporting those with a trauma history if organisations are to move towards trauma informed care.

Trauma experiences of people with an intellectual disability and their implications: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: People with an intellectual disability are more vulnerable to psychological trauma compared with the general population. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the current status of the literature on trauma that is specific to the experiences of adults with an intellectual disability, living in community settings. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2005, 8, 19) framework. Forty-one international papers were reviewed spanning 2000-2020, and their quality assessed using the MMAT. FINDINGS: (1) Aggressive behaviours can be symptoms of trauma, (2) there are appropriate assessment tools for the impact of trauma, (3) evidence-based interventions for trauma may be effective, and (4) factors associated with disability can be experienced as traumatic. CONCLUSION: There is a growing body of literature highlighting assessment needs and potential interventions for people with an intellectual disability who have experienced psychological trauma. Further research is needed to develop trauma-informed pathways.