12/08/2025
At ACPS, we often talk about our support being trauma-informed. But what does that word really mean, and why does it matter?
When someone has experienced trauma — whether recently or long ago — it can shape how they see the world, who they trust, and how they navigate care systems. Trauma-informed support means recognising this, and working in ways that are safe, respectful, and empowering.
Many of the people we support have faced incredibly difficult circumstances — from housing instability and isolation to family violence or long-term illness. Trauma-informed care doesn’t mean we need to know every detail of someone’s past. It means we approach each person with empathy, sensitivity, and an understanding that their experiences matter.
This can look like
- Prioritising physical, emotional, and cultural safety
- Respecting lived experience
- Building trust through consistency and transparency
- Offering real choice and control in decision about people’s future
- Listening without judgement
- Supporting healing, not re-traumatisation
This approach is embedded across all our services, from housing and care coordination to advocacy and outreach. It’s also allowed us to create overwhelmingly positive experiences for our clients, and allowed them to start the next chapter of their lives feeling understood and respected.
