Trauma informed care for girls in the Children and Young Person Secure Estate (CYPSE): a co-produced rapid evidence review

Background: The pathway of girls into the criminal justice system and welfare system tends to be characterised by significant histories of trauma and victimisation. Girls within these settings have been reported to be four to five times more likely to experience sexual abuse than boys (Baidawi in Trauma Violence & Abuse 24(2):1140-1156, 2023). 

Objective: This co-produced rapid evidence review aimed to explore the evidence for trauma-informed care (TiC) for girls in the Child and Young People’s Secure Estate (CYPSE). 

Methods: There were two stages of the review; (i) a rapid evidence review of international literature; and (ii) lived experience extension using a critical interpretative synthesis approach. In the current paper, 20 studies were identified evaluating TiC with girls. 

Results: Findings suggest that organisational system-wide TiC (e.g., Sanctuary Model; Framework for Integrated Care: SECURE STAIRS) can result in positive outcomes for girls including improvements in reports of safety and reduction in incidents. 

Conclusion: Trauma-informed training appears to be an important component of embedding TiC. Psychological formulation involves applying psychological theory to develop a shared understanding with the person. This approach appears to be useful to support TiC with girls. Therapeutic community principles including belonging, democracy, empowerment, and involvement can be supportive components to TiC. Clearly identified outcome variables and continued evaluation will be vital.