Transforming Veterans' welfare services in the UK through trauma-informed approaches

There is growing recognition of the importance of integrating trauma-informed approaches (TIA) into service delivery across government. However, many welfare systems are not currently designed to effectively support those affected by psychological trauma. 

In 2023, an independent review of welfare services for Veterans recommended the Ministry of Defence (MOD) implement trauma-informed practice. Building on earlier work in the Sanctions, Support and Service Leavers [SSSL] study, this project will assist the adoption of trauma-informed care in welfare by researching the perspectives of UK Armed Forces Veterans and their families, Serving personnel, MOD staff and other stakeholders. 

Through a combination of surveys, interviews and focus groups, it will provide evidence about the needs, opportunities and challenges of incorporating TIA across MOD services.

The aim of this project is to support the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the trauma-informed transformation of its welfare services. To ensure that trauma-informed approaches are integrated appropriately and sustainably, it is essential to adopt an evidence-informed approach. As such, this project aims to provide a comprehensive baseline understanding of experiences of MOD welfare services through a trauma-informed lens, providing the foundations from which a trauma-integration programme can be designed and delivered. To address this aim, our project has the following interconnected objectives:

 (i)    to generate new and wide-ranging multi-stakeholder insights into how MOD welfare services are currently designed, delivered and experienced through a trauma-informed lens;
(ii)    to explore learning from trauma-informed approaches in other services within the UK to understand how they can apply to MOD welfare services;
(iii)    to identify the training and support needs of MOD staff working within various welfare service functions; and  
(iv)    to use these unique insights to support the development of a bespoke trauma-informed practice integration programme for the MOD welfare services.

Over 18 months, a series of qualitative and quantitative research tasks shall be undertaken. The initial phase will involve stakeholder engagement via two advisory groups:

• A Policy and Practice Advisory Group (PPAG), consisting of stakeholders with relevant expertise around trauma-informed practice, and substantive knowledge of MOD welfare services.
• An Experts by Experience Advisory Group (EEAG), a forum for Veterans with experience of trauma and interacting with MOD welfare services.

This phase will also include designing research instruments for phase 2 - the main fieldwork phase. This involves multi-stakeholder primary research. Specific methods include online scoping surveys with i) Veterans (ii) spouses/family members; iii) MOD staff, followed by qualitative interviews with a sub sample of each group.

This project will also conduct focus groups with stakeholders including 3rd sector organisations, Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs) and stakeholders involved in tribunal processes. Data will be used to develop policy-focused learning / dissemination activities, including workshops to share research insights and discuss recommendations for designing trauma-informed services; knowledge exchange events with other government agencies; dissemination events aimed at the Armed Forces community and charitable sector, and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, findings would be presented at significant academic policy and practice conferences. 

Can the integration of evidence based, trauma-informed approaches into MOD welfare services improve the experiences of (i) multiple stakeholders who interact with those services; and (ii) MOD staff working within these services?

There are four key target groups: (i) Veterans; (ii) spouses/family members; iii) MOD staff; and (iv) other stakeholders. The desired sample size for each is set out below. Please note - the project is only publicly recruiting for groups 1 and 2.

i) Veterans:

• Online scoping survey: 100-150 responses.
• Qualitative interviews: 30-40 participants recruited through (i) the scoping survey and (ii) an open recruitment call via our stakeholder networks.

(ii) Spouses/family members of Service leavers/Veterans

• Online scoping survey: 50-75 responses. 
• Qualitative interviews: 15-20 participants recruited through (i) the scoping survey and (ii) an open recruitment call via our stakeholder networks.

iii) MOD staff:

• Online scoping survey: 80-100 responses. 
• Qualitative interviews: 4-6 focus groups.

iv) Other stakeholders:

• Third sector organisations: 2-3 focus groups (approx. 10-15 participants).
• Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees: 2-3 focus groups (approx. 10-15 participants).
• Stakeholders involved in tribunal processes: 1 focus group or interviews (approx. 5 participants).