Read Standard 3: Staff training, education and support

Healthcare and forensic medical services standards
Healthcare Improvement Scotland

Standard statement

Staff have the training, education and skills to deliver care and support for people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse.

Rationale

To ensure that services are safe, effective, person-centred and trauma-informed, staff should be provided with training and education appropriate to their role, responsibilities and workplace setting. NHS boards should ensure that staff have access to relevant training, education and information and be trained to the appropriate trauma-informed practice level. Sensitive and compassionate staff are key to minimising the risk of harm and re-traumatisation, as well as in supporting recovery and helping people to feel safe. Training and education should cover referral pathways and legislation.

Staff should be trained and competent to deliver both trauma-informed and person-centred care and support in line with all relevant policies and pathways. This covers obtaining consent and assessment of capacity, adult support and protection and child protection, information sharing and the national clinical pathways.28,37-39 Where appropriate, staff must undertake the NHS Education Scotland Essentials training, which incorporates the principles of trauma informed practice. The roles and responsibilities of sexual offence examiners, forensically trained nurses and nurse coordinators are defined in the national clinical pathways, guidance and education frameworks.24,40,41

NHS boards should have policies and procedures to identify and minimise the impact of vicarious trauma on staff.8,9 Appropriate services should be available to support their health and wellbeing. Clinical supervision and restorative supervision are essential components of training and education. Opportunities for mentoring, peer support and multidisciplinary learning and development should be provided.31 Staff should be supported to work in collaboration and partnership with other services including Regional Centres of Expertise and Bairns’ Hoose.

Criteria

3.1

NHS boards ensure that staff supporting people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse have access to:

  • relevant training opportunities including specialist training
  • appropriate education and continuous professional development opportunities
  • workplace policies and services for staff health and wellbeing
  • information and training to support a person-centred and trauma informed approach to care
  • regular clinical supervision
  • restorative supervision
  • performance appraisal
  • engagement and support through networks such as Regional Centres of Expertise or Bairns’ Hoose.
3.2

Staff are fully informed about their roles and responsibilities within the national clinical pathways, which include:

  • immediate clinical needs assessment, treatment and onward referral
  • child protection
  • adult support and protection42
  • forensic capture and the secure storage of evidence, where appropriate
  • report writing, court skills, the legal process and legislative requirements
  • completion of national documentation and data collection
  • legislative requirements.
3.3

Staff are trained to the relevant trauma informed practice level24 to:

  • understand the impact of trauma and how to avoid re-traumatisation
  • respond with sensitivity and compassion
  • support people to feel safe.
3.4

NHS boards ensure that people are supported by informed and compassionate staff who:

  • take time to understand and respect a person’s experiences, wishes and personal outcomes
  • understand the rights of adults, young people and children
  • have communication skills appropriate to the individual needs and age range of people who use services.
3.5

Staff involved in healthcare and forensic medical examinations are supported to:

  • undertake training, education, reflective practice or clinical supervision as appropriate to develop and maintain their skills, knowledge and competence
  • have their education and training needs aligned to professional development frameworks
  • access peer support and review
  • follow a multidisciplinary and multiagency approach to improve knowledge, communication and partnership working
  • provide feedback on their experience of delivering services.
3.6

NHS boards ensure staff have access to individual and group support and supervision to:

  • mitigate against vicarious trauma
  • address professional and emotional strain and challenges they may experience.

What does this standard mean for...

What does the standard mean for people receiving care and support? 

  • You will be supported by staff who have the training, skills and knowledge to meet your needs.
  • You will be treated with respect and compassion.
  • Staff will communicate with you using language that feels respectful and comfortable for you.
  • You will be listened to, and your concerns and wishes will be taken seriously.
  • You will be supported to make choices about your care and support by well-informed staff.

What does the standard mean for staff?

Staff, in line with their roles, responsibilities and workplace setting:

  • can demonstrate the required qualifications, skills and competence
  • practice self-directed learning and participate in relevant training
  • understand their roles and responsibilities to enable them to support people
  • receive support for their own mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • have the knowledge and skills they require to provide care that meets the aims of trauma-informed services.

What does the standard mean for the NHS board?

NHS boards ensure staff:

  • have the necessary knowledge and skills, appropriate to their roles and responsibilities, to provide high-quality care and support
  • have access to ongoing training, education, support and continued professional development
  • have opportunities for multiagency and multidisciplinary training
  • are able to access a trauma informed approach to staff wellbeing, including access to support.

Examples of what meeting this standard might look like

  • Provision and uptake of multidisciplinary and multiagency training.
  • Uptake of appropriate level of training to staff for their role and area of practice in child or adult protection42 and trauma-informed practice.24
  • Uptake of accredited training and education for forensically-trained nurses and sexual offence examiners.
  • Appraisal data and training and development plans.
  • Provision and uptake of clinical and restorative supervision.
  • Workplace policies and processes to support staff health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Proactive provision of a range of appropriate measures to ensure  prevention of vicarious trauma, chronic stress and burnout, and reactive measures to support staff when needed.8,9