Why trauma-informed approaches matter
Trauma can have lasting impacts on people's health, wellbeing, relationships and participation in community life. Research shows that around 75% of Australians experience at least one potentially traumatic event during their lifetime.
Trauma can affect how people experience government services, workplaces and systems. Trauma-informed approaches help create safer, more inclusive and responsive services and workplaces that support healing and recovery.
Embedding trauma-informed approaches across government
The Trauma-Informed Approaches Framework will provide practical guidance, tools and resources for Queensland Government agencies. It will help embed trauma-informed approaches across policy, practice and service delivery.
The Framework aims to:
- build a shared understanding and common language for trauma-informed approaches across government
- strengthen policies, practices and service delivery through a trauma-informed lens
- enhance workforce capability and confidence to recognise and respond to trauma
- support workforce wellbeing and help reduce the risk of vicarious trauma
- promote safe, inclusive and healing-oriented systems for staff and the communities they serve.
The project will also deliver a self-assessment tool and supporting resources to help agencies identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Informed by consultation and lived-living experience
The Framework draws on consultation undertaken during the development of the Queensland Trauma Strategy, along with ongoing engagement across Queensland.
More than 800 people have contributed, including people with lived-living experience, First Nations peoples, families, carers, community organisations and workforces across multiple sectors.
Feedback highlighted the need to:
- reduce the risk of re-traumatisation within services and systems
- strengthen organisational accountability for trauma-informed practice
- develop practical, culturally responsive tools and resources
- build trauma-informed capability across all workforce levels, from leadership to frontline roles
- embed trauma-informed approaches into organisational culture and continuous improvement.
Supporting system reform
This project supports The Queensland Trauma Strategy and contributes to broader reform across government. It will help agencies prevent, recognise and respond to trauma in ways that are compassionate, culturally responsive and person-centred.
By supporting a consistent approach across government, the Framework will help create systems that:
- recognise the impacts of trauma
- value lived-living experience
- promote cultural safety and inclusion
- support workforce wellbeing
- foster healing, recovery and resilience for Queensland communities.