VSS awarded for Trauma Informed Practice
The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland has recognised The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) as leaders in trauma informed practice.
The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland recently hosted the ‘Embedding a Trauma Approach 2025’ conference at which VSS was described as an excellent example of a trauma-specific service, delivering support at a grassroots level. The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland awarded VSS as sector leaders in evaluation and sustainability.
Dame Sandra Horley, VSS, Interim Chair
“VSS is the first organisation in Northern Ireland to be accredited with a Silver ‘Trauma-Informed: Working With Trauma Quality Mark’. This award from the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland is further recognition of that work.”
Data collection is essential for adapting to better practices, and while many organisations monitor and evaluate their systems, this is rarely done using a trauma-informed approach. VSS regularly collects and reviews data on uptake and outcomes to monitor progress, identify successes, and build effective trauma-informed support and services. Further to this VSS staff share knowledge with partners to empower service providers to incorporate trauma informed practices where possible.
Dr Alison McKenna, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
“VSS staff have been key in supporting the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust incorporate trauma informed practices. The VSS team identified numerous improvements which we are currently undertaking, including furniture placement, therapeutic colour schemes and trauma informed literature. We are looking forward to the positive impact this will have on our service delivery.”
Andrew Walker, VSS, CEO
“VSS has embedded fully a trauma informed approach. This has had a positive impact, not only on the support and services we provide for victims and survivors, but also on the culture, board and staff at VSS. We will continue to share our knowledge with our community partners as we normalise a trauma informed approach.”
You can read more about VSS support and services here.