An integrated model & framework for the application of trauma-informed care in Residential Aged Care
Ann MacRae Marta Woolford

Date and Time

Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Theme / Track

Policy, advocacy, planning and change

Presentation Format

Concurrent

The evolution of trauma-informed care (TIC) since its inception has resulted in myriad models and frameworks across a variety of settings. Recommendations for TIC are increasing in recognition of the potential benefits of the approach in human services. In Australia, the Strengthened Aged Care standards refer to “trauma-aware and healing informed” care (Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, 2023). Despite mandates and recommendations for TIC, there is no specific guidance on what this should look like (Bendall et al., 2021; Emsley et al., 2022; Gerber, 2019). We conducted an integrative review, using a rapid review methodology, concept and content analysis, and thematic synthesis to identify the existing models and frameworks of TIC and their common values, components and principles, and synthesise these to inform a contemporary understanding of TIC. Two-hundred and eighty-eight included sources from the academic and grey literature internationally were analysed, resulting in ten values, ten principles and twenty-eight components of TIC. In this presentation, we will introduce an Integrated model and Framework for TIC including a definition of TIC and its core values which is applicable across settings. The integrated model and framework have demonstrated utility in the implementation of TIC and development of setting-specific practice strategies, particularly in new settings such as Residential Aged Care. It provides a contemporaneous description of TIC that has the potential to inform future research, policy development, and practice that can support its application.

Keywords

Evidence Based Policy, Evidence Based Practice, Future Directions, Innovation, Residential

Authors

Dr Heather Morris, Monash University
Dr Amanda O'Connor, Monash University