Experiencing and living through traumatic events can be a common occurrence which impacts on people’s lives in many ways – including how they engage with public services.
That’s why East Lothian Council is looking to recruit a Trauma Informed Practice Development Officer. It’s an exciting opportunity to lead on developing trauma-informed practices across our services. The postholder will work with teams to design and deliver initiatives that ensure trauma-informed practices for employees and services are embedded all levels in the council.
“People can be affected by trauma at any stage of their lives,” says Angi Pinkerton, who has a similar role with South Ayrshire Council. “It is important to be aware of psychological trauma and recognise the impacts.”
Informed and responsive
Doing so, she believes, means organisations such as local authorities are able to respond to individual needs and circumstances when delivering services – making sure they engage in appropriate ways and in an environment which is open and friendly, helping the individual achieve a positive outcome.
“The pandemic has raised awareness of mental health issues and an awareness of what it is like to live with trauma,” adds Angi. “My role is to support organisational change to make sure colleagues delivering services are trauma-informed and responsive."
Trauma informed practice can address the barriers that those affected by trauma may experience which accessing the care, support and treatment they require for a healthy life.
“My role involves developing training programmes, reviewing existing policies and procedures but also making sure that new policies being developed with trauma principles in mind,” Angi explains.
There are a relatively small number of Trauma Informed Practice Development Officers currently within councils, but Angi believes building a network of such professionals and champions with public organisations can strengthen services and ensure they are person-centered as possible.
“The role is an opportunity to support organisational change and make an impact.”
Opportunity to make a difference
Based within East Lothian Council’s Organisational Development Team while working closely with Head of Children’s Services and Trauma Lead, it’s an opportunity to make a real difference to the East Lothian community and our employees.
The successful candidate will be well supported by friendly and helpful colleagues across the council, the NHS, the Improvement Service and third sector partners who are passionate about ensuring we put our customer and service users needs at the heart of everything we do.
We are a relatively small council with 4800 employees. That means you can make an impact quickly. Ideally you will enjoy working collaboratively with a very diverse range of service groups, be fairly autonomous and persistent in achieving outcomes. You will have a lot of scope to bring in your own ideas as well as having the experience of others for direction and advice. In the initial phases, a significant proportion of the role will involve helping to develop an implementation plan, supporting services to assess against trauma informed principles and ensuring employees receive appropriate training.
How to apply
For further information and to find out how to apply, visit the myjobscotland website.
The closing date is 24 July.