Initiating a paradigm shift: responding to individuals through a trauma-informed lens

After the process of the literature review and consultations/focus groups with the main
stakeholders, MFMC was written as a trauma informed rolling programme developed for men over the age of 18 who have been convicted of a contact sexual offence against both children and adults. It has 14 modules within it, 7 of which are mandatory and 7 of which are optional depending on the individual’s formulation of treatment needs. Mandatory modules were decided on the basis of the theoretical foundation of the programme, as well as ensuring each person had a treatment plan to reinforce change after finishing the programme. Mandatory modules included the entry module during which the Good Lives Model is explained and participants begin to understand their offending using this framework which each person needed to complete as it was woven through each part of the programme. The discovering needs module which involves collaborative formulation of an individual’s treatment needs and forms the basis for deciding which of the optional modules required to be completed. The future focus module to ensure sustainability of change and the introduction to thinking and self-management module which involved introducing concepts of compassionate focussed mindfulness, mindfulness and thinking styles. The Good Lives Model is woven into every module of the programme. Individual participants complete the relevant optional modules reflecting their particular needs as formulated at the beginning of the programme in the discovering needs module.

The discovering needs module which effectively lays the basis for each man’s treatment plan, involved formulating needs based on a variety of factors including providing time and space for them to explore their experiences of trauma and how this impacted on them.

Feedback from the accreditation panel in the early stages of seeking accreditation recommended that a Theory of Change relevant specifically to MFMC should be developed, and so I developed the following model. The model encouraged a focus on trauma history, situational and socio-cultural factors such as being raised in poverty, socio-economically deprived areas, and neurobiological factors (reflecting social constructionist principles). These factors form the basis of the formulation that is completed collaboratively with each person on MFMC under the “Discovering Needs” module, and subsequently helps the person to understand themselves from a socio-5 cultural, neurological perspective. The formulation in the “Discovering Needs” module also forms the treatment plan for the remainder of the programme, identifying which of the optional modules each person needs to complete. The optional modules being reflective of the risk factors identified in the literature review.