Trauma-informed practice in family mental health support services

Overview

This practice guide summarises research and practice evidence about strategies for trauma-informed practice. It covers:

This practice guide has been developed for, and in consultation with, practitioners working in Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS). FMHSS provide early intervention and non-clinical community mental health support for children and young people aged up to 18 years who are showing signs of, or are at risk of, developing mental illness.

This practice guide will also be useful to other practitioners working with children and young people, parents and families. The content has been developed specifically for practitioners who have less than 5 years of experience in the child and family services sector.

Program managers supporting and enabling the work of early career practitioners will also find this resource useful, particularly the Organisational-level responsibilities section. For trauma-informed practice to be implemented effectively, it is important that frontline practitioners are supported at the management and organisation levels.

Reference

Butler, K., MacDonald, J.B., Helprin, H., Dobud, W. & Willoughby, M. (2025). Trauma-informed practice in family mental health support services (Policy and practice paper). Melbourne: Child Family Community Australia, Australian Institute of Family Studies.