Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Healthier Together has committed to becoming a trauma-informed Integrated Care System, building knowledge of trauma and adversity into services and systems, promoting recovery, and preventing further harm. Trauma Informed practice is now included in the overarching strategy for the Integrated Care System, the BNSSG Joint Forward Plan and BNSSG Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Senior Responsible Officers for this work are Jo Walker (Chief Executive, North Somerset Council) and Dominic Hardisty (Chief Executive, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust).
The programme is collaboratively funded currently by Bristol Health Partners (as part of the Trauma and Adversity Health Integration Team), the Avon and Somerset Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the ICB and NHSE Health & Justice through the Framework for Integrated Care for Children and Young People (BNSSG Vanguard).
The work is broadly divided into three key work areas:
1. creating a shared language and approach,
2. building strategic commitment and support and
3. trauma-informed practice in action
Running through all aspects of the programme work is: an active commitment to reducing health and social inequality, co-production and including the voice of lived experience, and integrating and contributing to evidence-base and best practice.