Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance entitled Working definition of trauma-informed practice, published by his Department on 2 November 2022, what recent progress his Department has made on developing the evidence base for the use of trauma-informed practice in different settings; and if he will make a statement.

The Department published and disseminated a working definition of trauma-informed practice for the health and care sector. The Home Office is also funding an evaluation of trauma-informed practice, to establish what impact it could have in diverting children and young people from becoming involved in serious violence and crime.

The Department has also commissioned a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Toolkit which will detail the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different types of VAWG interventions. This will be a valuable tool for integrated care boards in commissioning services and will promote evidence-based approaches to supporting victims and tackling violence.

NHS England has established a Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Programme to lead work to support victims of domestic abuse and tackle sexual violence.