Trauma-Informed Organisational Toolkit

The With You Trauma-Informed Organisational Toolkit is an implementation-ready, comprehensive guide to foster the development of trauma-informed, rights-based legal assistance services.

Toolkit:

View the Trauma-Informed Organisational Toolkit (PDF)

Australia’s first Trauma Informed Toolkit for the legal assistance sector

With You has developed a Toolkit is an implementation-ready, comprehensive guide to foster the development of trauma-informed, rights-based legal assistance services.

The prevalence of trauma amongst clients of the legal assistance sector is uncontested, particularly at the point where they need legal assistance. A lawyer who can recognise and respond to trauma can deliver an effective legal service, without causing further harm, and lessen the impact of vicarious trauma.

In addition to training frontline staff, legal services must embody trauma-informed and rights-based principles across all aspects of service design, organisational culture, leadership and management.

The Organisational Toolkit is underpinned by an international review of academic and grey literature, a National Legal Aid survey of existing best practices, and innovative approaches observed through national consultations spanning all states and territories. The consultations with clients of the sector, lawyers, and other stakeholders have concluded that trauma-informed, rights-based practice should be a core competency for all staff in the legal assistance sector.

eLearning & Community of Practice

To support you to adapt and share trauma-informed principles across Australia, you can join the Community of Practice.

You can also register for With You eLearning courses which are fully funded for all professionals in the Australian legal assistance sector.

Toolkit Overview

The With You Toolkit is an implementation-ready resource designed to promote the development of trauma-informed, rights-based organisations in the legal assistance sector. These include Legal Aid Commissions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and Community Legal Centres. The toolkit serves as a comprehensive guide to inform in every aspect of service provision. This toolkit empowers organisations to develop services that promote safety, dignity, and empowerment for people who experience poor mental health, mental distress and/or suicidality.

At the heart of the With You Toolkit is the concept of trauma-informed practice, an approach that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to address its consequences. This toolkit provides guidance on implementing trauma-informed practices, ensuring that organisational policies, procedures, and interactions with clients are sensitive, responsive, and supportive. This toolkit will assist in the development of services that reduce barriers to access to justice and prevent further harm or traumatisation for clients.

The With You Toolkit also goes beyond a one-size-fits-all approach by emphasising the importance of a rights-based framework. It recognises that people who experience poor mental health, mental distress and/or suicidality often face intersecting forms of marginalisation and discrimination. By adopting a rights-based approach, organisations can work towards not only addressing the immediate needs of clients, but also challenging systemic inequalities and promoting social justice.

From designing safe and welcoming spaces to designing outreach services and engaging in systemic reform, the With You Toolkit provides models, resources, checklists, and templates to facilitate the implementation of these approaches. It also addresses organisational considerations, ensuring that trauma-informed and rights-based practices become embedded within the fabric of the organisation.

Moreover, the With You Toolkit recognises the importance of collaboration and partnerships within the sector. It provides guidance on establishing effective collaborations with other service providers, community organisations, and government agencies to create a comprehensive and coordinated response to trauma. By leveraging collective expertise and resources, organisations can maximise their impact and promote a holistic approach to support clients.

Next Section: Organisational Readiness