Trauma Informed Care & Therapy
Assessments & Mapping Needs
We believe that the first step to providing the right support is to understand each child and family’s unique needs. We offer a range of standardised assessments that provide clear, evidence-based insights, but we recognise that no two families are the same. That’s why our experienced practitioners can design and deliver bespoke assessments, tailored specifically to the circumstances of the child or family.
Our assessments can be used to support court proceedings, care planning, and wider decision-making, ensuring that professionals and families have the best possible understanding to guide next steps. Whether standard or customised, every assessment is carried out with care and expertise, forming the foundation for an effective plan of support.
Complex Emotional & Behavioural Assessment
First introduced in 2017, this is our original assessment, widely used in court proceedings and care planning. It identifies the needs of young people with significant emotional and behavioural difficulties and provides a clear plan of support, considering developmental, emotional, behavioural, and attachment needs. The process includes clinical interviews, collecting psychometric data, a direct therapy assessment with the child (see Therapy Assessment), and a full analysis with recommendations. Where required, placement analysis can also be included.
Who undertakes this assessment :
Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBA or UKBA(cert)).
TRIBE Trauma Impact Assessment
This assessment identifies the needs of young people with significant emotional and behavioural difficulties that have resulted from trauma (ACEs) and provides a clear plan of support, considering developmental, emotional, behavioural, and attachment needs. It maps the child’s needs and support plan onto the TRIBE trauma framework, creating a sequential plan that addresses both current and longer-term needs. The assessment is flexible and can be completed with or without a direct therapy assessment with the child. Psychometric measures and placement analysis can also be included.
Who undertakes this assessment :
Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBA or UKBA(cert)).
Direct Therapy Assessment
A three to five session assessment carried out directly with the child. It explores their presentation, development, emotional understanding, relational skills, and awareness of their history or trauma. Additional focus areas can include engagement, memory and concentration difficulties, impact of abuse (including sexual abuse), views on contact or placement, and other specific needs. For older children, psychometric measures may also be used. This assessment can stand alone or form part of a wider comprehensive assessment.
Who undertakes this assessment :
Registered Therapists.
Sibling Attachment Assessment
Used for sibling groups where placement together or apart is being considered. It identifies each child’s attachment style, their attachment to siblings, and the potential impact of separation. It includes a placement analysis with recommendations for placement options and therapeutic interventions that may best support the children.
Who undertakes this assessment :
Senior therapists experienced in attachment work.
Life Story Work Assessment
Determines whether a child would benefit from Life Story Work, when this should take place, and what approach to Life Story Work is most appropriate. In many cases, this can be completed through a paper review of documents, direct assessment with the child can also be included if there are specific questions about their views or understanding.
Pre-School Life Skills Assessment
This assessment examines four key areas of early development: instruction following, functional communication, tolerance skills, and friendship skills. Although typically developed in pre-school years, children with a trauma history may not acquire these skills until much later—sometimes well into their teenage years. The assessment is particularly useful when a child shows multiple delays across these domains. Results are used to design a Pre-School Life Skills Programme, mapping support for each area. It can also help in creating tailored plans for neurodiverse young people and those with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
VB-MAPP Assessment
The Verbal Behaviour Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)
is a widely used tool for children with developmental delays. It measures verbal skills, identifies areas for development, and tracks progress across language and social domains.
The assessment includes:
Who undertakes this assessment:
Guided by VB-MAPP Specialist Rachel Evans (BCBA, UKBA(cert)).
Family Dynamic Impact Assessment
For children living between separated parents, this assessment looks at how they can be best supported across two households. It explores the impact of separation, the child’s views, and any ongoing difficulties, before creating a tailored plan that promotes stability and wellbeing.
We have extensive experience in assessing all types of family dynamics and the impact these arrangements can have on a child’s development, relationships, and emotional health. The assessment can also be used where there is concern about parental alienation, helping professionals and families understand the child’s perspective and the wider context.
Adaptable to each family’s circumstances, the assessment may involve direct work with the child, consultation with carers and professionals, and where appropriate, a paper review of available information.
