As we edge towards Christmas, that grand old mix of sparkle,shortdays,andabitoffranticjuggling,Iwantto shinealightonthebrilliantworkhappeningacrossExtern
Our six Trauma Informed Groups have been buzzing away, and you can already start to feel the difference. Workspaces are beginning to feel more TIO, conversationssoundalittlekinder,andevenourpolicies arenowbeingshapedwithTIOinmind.Thesearesmall steps,buttheyarerealones,andtheyʼreaddingup.
Our managers have wrapped up the value based workshops,sothenextphasewillrolloutintheNewYear Whenyoursessionlands,pleasecomealong Thisisnʼta tickboxexercise,itishowwemakesureeveryonefeels part of an organisation that genuinely cares, shows compassion,andwalksthetalk.
Westillhaveplentytodo,anditneedseveryoneʼsbuyin, butthedirectionoftravelisgood.
Decembercanbeafunnyoldmonth,equalpartslovelyand exhausting, so mind yourselves Be kind, be patient, and treatpeoplethewayyouʼdhopetobetreatedonabusy dayinalongqueue.Thoselittlemomentsmakeaworldof difference.
Thankyouforallyouhavedonethisyear Maythenextfew weeksbringabitofcalm,abitoflaughter,andmaybeeven thegoodbiscuitsappearingintheoffice.Lookingforwardto seeing our TIO journey grow even stronger in the New Year.
Untilnexttime Keepwell
Inthisedition TransformingOurWorkspaces
ChoosingtheRightTIOFramework
HelpingTeamsCommunicatetheTIOWay
NewTrainingPlanontheHorizon
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QuickTIOFactsforEverydayLife
YourTIOChristmasCorner
AWellnessTwistonthe12DaysofChristmas AHeartfeltThankYouasWeWrapUp2025
MeettheTrauma-InformedWorkingGroups EnvironmentWorkingGroup–WhoWeAre
TheEnvironmentWorkingGroupbringstogetherstafffromacrossExternwhoarepassionateaboutcreatingsafe, calming,andtrauma-informedspaces.Thegroupfocusesonhowourphysicalenvironments-fromofficestoservice spaces-cansupportwellbeingandreflectbestpracticeintrauma-informeddesign
ModelDevelopmentTeam–WhoWeAre TheModelDevelopmentTeamisacross-departmentalgroupdedicatedtoshapingExternʼsoveralltrauma-informed approach Byreviewingresearch,frameworks,andreal-worldexamples,theteamensuresExternadoptsamodelthatis evidence-based,practical,andalignedwithourorganisationalvalues.
LanguageGroup–WhoWeAre
TheLanguageGroupismadeupofcolleagueswhospecialiseincommunication,policy,andstaffsupport.Theirroleisto helpensurethatthelanguageweuseacrossExtern-whetherinpolicies,reports,orday-to-daycommunication-isclear, consistent,androotedintrauma-informedprinciples.
TIOTrainingGroup–WhoWeAre TheTIOTrainingGroupconsistsoftrainers,serviceleads,andstaffwithapassionforlearninganddevelopment.They designandcoordinateExternʼstrauma-informedtrainingapproach,ensuringallstaffhaveaccesstotheknowledgeand skillsneededtoembedTIOprinciplesintheirwork
ReflectivePracticeSubgroup–WhoWeAre The Reflective Practice Subgroup is a team of practitioners committed to supporting staff learning, resilience, and continuousimprovement Theirfocusisoncreatingopportunitiesforreflectivepracticeacrossservices,helpingteams processexperiences,shareinsights,andstrengthentheirworkwithserviceusers
BaselineQuestionnaireSubgroup–WhoWeAre TheBaselineQuestionnaireSubgroupisresponsibleforgatheringandanalysingorganisationaldataontrauma-informed awarenessandpractice.Madeupofstaffwithexpertiseinevaluationandservicedevelopment,thegrouphelpsExtern understandourprogressandidentifyareasforgrowthaswemovealongourTIOjourney.
ENVIRONMENTWORKINGGROUP Hieveryone,
IʼmexcitedtosharesomeprogressfromourEnvironmentWorkingGroup!
�� WeʼvebeendevelopinganewbooklettoguideprojectswhencreatingorrefurbishingspacesacrossExtern Thesespaces areusedbybothserviceusersandstaff,soitʼsimportanttheyfeelsafe,welcoming,andsupportive
�� WorkingcloselywithSBNI,thebookletreflectsbestpracticeandtrauma-informedprinciples,covering:
�� Wallcolours
�� Artwork
�� Softfurnishings
���� Comfortableofficelayouts …andmore!
Theaimistohelpusallviewourenvironmentsthroughatrauma-informedlens.Theenthusiasmacrossprojectshasbeen fantastic,andweʼvealreadyseensomebrilliantexamplesaroundthecountry.Weʼllbeshowcasingthesesoon sokeepan eyeout!
Thankyoutoeveryoneinvolvedsofar.Yourcreativityandcommitmentaremakingarealdifference. Warmregards,
Lorna&theEnvironmentTeam
MODELDEVELOPMENTTEAM Hieveryone,
Weʼvebeenexploringwhatatrulytrauma-informedorganisationlookslike-andhowwecanmakethatarealityatExtern.
�� Ourgroupreviewedawiderangeofframeworksandbestpracticesfrombothstatutoryandvoluntaryorganisations,and lookedatlocalpartnersalreadycreatinginclusive,supportivecultures.
�� ChoosingtheRightModel
Afterdiscussion,weagreedtheSafeguardingBoardforNorthernIreland(SBNI)toolkitisthebestfit. Whythismodel?
�� Groundedininternationalandlocalresearch
�� Includesreal-lifecasestudiesfromorganisationswealreadyworkwith
�� Providesapracticalroadmaptoembedtrauma-informedprinciplesacrosseverythingwedo
�� LookingAheadto2026
ThewiderTIOSteeringGroupwillusethetoolkitʼschecklistto:
✔ Trackprogress
�� Identifyareasforimprovement
�� Buildasharedpictureofwhereweʼredoingwell andwherewecangrow
Weʼreexcitedaboutthisnextstepandwillkeepyouupdated.Ifyouhaveideasorwanttogetinvolved,weʼdlovetohearfrom you!
Thanks,
KirstyandtheModelDevelopmentTeam
LANGUAGETEAM NEWGUIDEFORTRAUMA-INFORMEDPOLICIES
Hieveryone!
OurLanguageGrouphasbeenbusycreatingsomethingwethinkyouʼllfindreallyuseful.
�� Wenoticedthatunderstandingtrauma-informedthinkingcanmakeabigdifferenceinpolicyandcommunication.So weʼvedevelopedanewguidetohelpteamsweavetrauma-informedprinciplesintopolicyupdatesanddevelopment.
�� WhyThisMatters
Thisguidemakesthings:
✅ Clearer
✅ Easierforteamstofollow
✅ Alignedwithtrauma-informedprinciples
Itʼsjustthestart!Next,weʼllrunworkshopstorefreshandreviseexistingpoliciestogether.
Hereʼsthelinktotheguide:
TRAININGGROUP BIGSTEPSTOWARDATRAUMA-INFORMEDWORKFORCE
GreatNewsfromtheTIOTrainingGroup
WeʼreexcitedtosharethatweʼveputtogetheratrainingplanandsentittoSLTforreview.Hereʼstheplan:
��Phase1:E-Learning
Atrauma-informedmoduletoraiseawarenessamongstaffandnewstarters easytoaccessandunderstand
��Phase2:Hands-OnTraining
Bespoke,in-personTIOtrainingtailoredtoourservices,basedontheSBNImodel,toensuremaximumimpact.
��YourRole:LeadTrainers
WeʼllsoonrequestnominationsforstafftojoinTIOTrain-the-Trainersessions(Q22026)
Weʼreexcitedaboutthisjourneyandthedifferenceitwillmakeacrossteams!
Bestwishes,
Deirdre&theTIOTrainingGroup
REFLECTIVEPRACTICEGROUP Hieveryone,
HereʼsanupdatefromourReflectivePracticeSubgroup!Weʼvebeenmeetingregularlythroughout2025tosupport directserviceneeds.
��WelcomingNewFaces
Deirdre,TJ,Nickayla,andJennyhavejoinedCasey,Liz,andme,bringingfreshenergyandideas.Together,wefocus on:
�� Sharingbestpractice
�� Reflectingonlearning
�� Supportingteamstoembedacultureofreflectivepractice
�� ThisYearʼsHighlights
�� TwomoreteammembersinDroghedacompletedtheSHEPReflectivePracticecourse
�� 2025trialsessionscompleted,withafeedbackworkshopinDecember
�� EOSSLimerickwillstarttheirowntrialin2026
Weʼre excited to work more closely with other trauma-informed subgroups to strengthen awareness and make reflectivepracticecoretoourwork.
Thankstoeveryoneinvolved yourcontributionsaremakingarealdifference! Warmregards,
Caoimhe&theReflectionTeam
BASELINEQUESTIONNAIREGROUPUPDATE Helloeveryone,
TheBaselineQuestionnaireSubgrouphasbeenmeetingregularlyandisexcitedforwhatʼscomingin2026!
�� RelaunchingtheTrauma-InformedQuestionnaire
Weʼllberelaunchingthequestionnairetoseehowthingshavechangedsinceearly2025 Comparingresponseswill giveaclearerpictureofourprogressonbecomingtrauma-informed.
�� StageOne:BecomingTraumaAware
This stage focuses on building understanding and awareness across the organisation a foundation for lasting change
�� YourInputMatters
Yourfeedbackhelpsusseewhereweʼvegrownandwheretofocusnext.
Moredetailswillbesharedearlyinthenewyear staytuned! Warmregards, Clare&theBaselineQuestionnair
QUESTIONNAIREGROUP:“DIDYOU KNOW?ˮ SCIENCEYOUCANUSE:QUICKTIOFACTSFOREVERYDAYLIFE
YOURNERVOUSSYSTEMHASA‘GOLDFISHMODEʼ WHENSOMETHINGFEELSOVERWHELMING,YOURBRAINCANLITERALLYSHORTEN YOURATTENTIONSPANTOPROTECTYOU.ITʼSNOTFLAKY ITʼSASURVIVAL FEATURE.
ADEEPSIGHISYOURBODYʼSRESETBUTTON NOTTHEANNOYEDSIGH THELONG,HEAVYONEYOUBARELYNOTICE.ITʼSYOUR VAGUSNERVEGIVINGYOUAQUICKSYSTEMREBOOT.
KIDSLEARNREGULATIONBYCOPYINGADULTBREATHING RHYTHMS
YOUCANSAY“CALMDOWNˮALLDAY,BUTYOURSLOWEXHALEDOESMORETHAN ANYSENTENCEEVERWILL
THEBODYCANʼTTELLTHEDIFFERENCEBETWEEN‘IʼM SAFEʼAND‘IʼMLAUGHINGʼ EVENATINYGIGGLESHIFTSYOURPHYSIOLOGY DARKHUMOUR,BADJOKES, TIKTOKNONSENSE ITALLCOUNTS
YOURBRAINISVELCROFORTHREATANDTEFLONFOR PRAISE
WEREMEMBERONESHARPCOMMENTANDFORGETTHE29NICEONES EVOLUTIONPRIORITISEDSURVIVINGLIONS,NOTPERFORMANCEREVIEWS. PEOPLEDONʼTFREEZEBECAUSETHEYʼREWEAK FREEZEISTHEOLDEST,MOSTSUCCESSFULSURVIVALRESPONSEONEARTH.EVEN RABBITSUSEIT.
TRAUMA-INFORMEDDOESNʼTMEANSOFT—ITMEANS SMART
ITʼSABOUTWORKINGWITHTHEBRAIN,NOTAGAINSTIT.THINK“SCIENCE-BACKED KINDNESSˮ,NOTJUST“THERAPYVIBES.ˮ
THEVAGUSNERVEISYOURBODYʼSBLUETOOTH ITSYNCSYOURGUT,HEART,LUNGS,FACE,ANDMOOD.WHENITʼSONLINE,YOUFEEL CONNECTED;WHENITLAGS,EVERYTHINGFEELSOFF.
WARMHANDS=CALMERBRAIN
WARMTHSIGNALSSAFETY.THISISWHYTEAFIXESEVERYTHING…ATLEAST TEMPORARILY.
YOUCANʼTREGULATEIFYOUHAVENʼTEATEN THISISWHYEVERYTRAUMA-INFORMEDMEETINGRUNSBETTERWITHBISCUITS.
THE12DAYSOFCHRISTMAS–WELLNESSTEAMEDITION Asweheadintothefestiveseason,theWellnessTeamthoughtweʼdbringalittleholidaycheerandTIOmindfulness.
So,getreadytohumalongaswecountdownthe12waystocareforourselvesandeachotherthisDecember:
OnthefirstdayofChristmas,theWellnessTeamgavetome… �� Onedeepbreathtosettleme
⏳ Twoquietminutes (AsacredgiftinDecember)
�� Threekindwords (“Youʼredoinggrandˮ)
☕ Fourwarmcuppas (Theuniversalregulationtool)
✨ FIVEGOLDENPAUSES (Noguilt.Allbenefit)
�� Sixteamsco-regulating (Oratleasttrying)
�� Sevengentlecheck-ins (“Howʼsthehead,honestly?ˮ)
�� Eightstaffde-escalating (Biscuitsandhumoursavingtheday)
�� Nineboundarieshonoured (Healthyteamssayno)
���� Tenbreathsbywindows (Theunofficialtherapysession)
�� Elevenlaughswithcolleagues (Thenervoussystemʼsfavouritesound)
�� Twelvedaysofkindness (Onesmallactatatime)
AWarmChristmasSign-Off
Thankyouforeverythingyouʼvedonethisyear Yourcare,yourpatience,yourhumour,andthewayyousupportone anotherarewhatmakethisworkpossible.Asweheadintotheholidays,Ihopeyoufindabitofcalm,abitoflaughter,and momentsthatfeelgenuinelyrestful.
Mindyourselves,mindeachother,andhereʼstoanevenmoreTIOExternintheNewYear.
Aswemoveintothelaststretchoftheyear,IhopethislittleTIOChristmasCornerbringsabitofwarmthandasmile. Decembercanbeequalpartslovelyandexhausting,sotakeyourmomentswhereyoucan.
Besoundtoyourselves,besoundtoeachother,andrememberthatoursmallactsofcompassionarewhatmakeExtern feellikeExtern.
QuickFestiveStaffSurvey:YourDecemberTIOCheck-In
Weʼveputtogetheratinypolltocapturehoweveryoneisdoingandwhatactuallyhelpsthistimeofyear:
