Trauma training 287/2026

FOI Reference: 287/2026

Request

I would be grateful if you could provide the following information in relation to training provided to police officers within your force.

1. Trauma-Informed Training

a) Does your force provide training relating to trauma-informed practice or trauma awareness for police officers?

b) If yes, please provide:

• • • The name of the training programme
    • Whether it is delivered internally or by an external provider
    • The duration of the training and frequency of refreshers
    • Whether the training is mandatory or optional

2. Training on Empathy or Communication with Vulnerable Individuals

a) Does your force provide training specifically focused on empathy, communication, or engagement with vulnerable individuals (for example victims of trauma, mental health crisis, or individuals with adverse childhood experiences)?

b) If yes, please provide:

• • • The name of the training programme
    • The duration of the training and refresher courses
    • Whether it is mandatory or optional

3. Initial Police Officer Training

a) Is trauma-informed practice included within initial police officer training for new recruits?

b) If so, please provide a brief description of how this is delivered (e.g. lectures, scenario-based training, online learning).

4. Specialist Training

Does your force provide any specialist trauma-informed training for particular roles (for example safeguarding officers, domestic abuse investigators, or neighbourhood policing teams)?

If yes, please provide brief details.

5. Training hours

a) Approximately how many hours of training related to trauma, ACE's, neurodiversity, vulnerability are provided during initial police training within your force?

b) Approximately how many hours of training related to empathy, communication and engagement with vulnerable individuals are provided during initial police training within your force?

c) if available, please provide a breakdown of training hours, dedicated to the following areas within initial police training and throughout policing career:

• • • Vulnerability/safeguarding
    • Mental health and neurodiversity awareness
    • Trauma informed practice
    • Communication and empathy

6. Training Materials or Guidance

If available, please provide any publicly shareable guidance documents, policy documents, or training outlines relating to trauma-informed policing or empathy-based approaches.

 

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below:-

Please note: The information provided below has been split into two categories of responses, the first relates to initial police officer training only, covering what is delivered to new recruits during their foundation learning, and the second relates to information regarding specialist roles or refresher training.

Response Q1

Initial police officer training

Yes.

Trauma-informed practice and trauma awareness are embedded across a range of training inputs rather than delivered as a standalone programme.

This content is incorporated within several core training areas, including:

• Introduction to vulnerability
• Sexual offences
• Domestic abuse
• Child safeguarding
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Modern slavery and human trafficking
• Neighbourhood policing

Delivery is primarily internal, as part of initial recruit training and ongoing. Inputs are delivered by police trainers and subject matter experts.

The duration varies depending on the specific input, as trauma-informed principles are integrated throughout each relevant lesson rather than delivered in isolation. Refresher training is provided in line with ongoing continuing professional development and role-specific requirements.

While there is no single course solely dedicated to trauma informed practice, the principles are a mandatory component within the relevant training areas listed above. This approach is intended to reinforce and normalise trauma-informed practice across a wide range of operational contexts.

Response Q2

Yes.

Training relating to empathy, communication, and engagement with vulnerable individuals is delivered throughout the training programme rather than as a single standalone course.

A key input is provided during the initial training phase:

• Communication Skills (Week 1) – This session introduces core communication techniques, including engaging with vulnerable adults. It includes trainer-led input, facilitated group discussions, and scenario-based exercises to reinforce learning in a practical context.

In addition, these principles are embedded across multiple other training areas, including:

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual offences
• Child safeguarding
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Modern slavery and human trafficking

These sessions reinforce empathetic engagement, effective communication, and appropriate interaction with individuals experiencing trauma, mental health crises, or other vulnerabilities.

The majority of delivery is internal, led by police trainers. There is also input from and external contributor People First (professional independent advocacy service, supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or Autism), who provide specialist guidance on communicating with individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

The duration varies, as content is integrated across lessons rather than delivered as a single programme. Refresher training is provided through ongoing professional development and role specific training.

While there is no standalone course solely focused on empathy and communication with vulnerable individuals, these skills are a mandatory component of initial training and are consistently reinforced across relevant subject areas.

Response Q3

Yes.

Trauma-informed practice is included within initial police officer training for new recruits. It is not delivered as a standalone input but is embedded throughout a range of lessons and practical training activities.

Delivery methods include:

• Classroom-based learning – Trainer led inputs and facilitated discussions within topics such as domestic abuse, sexual offences, safeguarding, exploitation, and neighbourhood policing where trauma informed principles are explored and applied.
• Scenario-based training – Learners take part in structured role play and practical exercises designed to apply trauma informed approaches in realistic operational contexts.
• Virtual Reality (VR) training – Used within domestic abuse scenarios to provide immersive experiences, enabling learners to recognise trauma responses and adapt their communication and decision making accordingly.
• Consolidation days – Learners complete a variety of practical scenarios requiring them to integrate learning and demonstrate trauma informed approaches across different incident types.
• Other programmes – Completion of the College of Policing RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) training programme for first responders, which focuses on initial response, victim engagement, and trauma-informed communication.

This blended approach ensures that trauma-informed practice is both understood conceptually and applied consistently in operational scenarios.

Response Q4

Specialist trauma-informed training is provided for some roles; however, full details across all specialist functions are not held within initial training.

For Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Neighbourhood Policing Officers, training is delivered in line with the College of Policing Neighbourhood Policing Programme (NPP). This includes a module covering trauma-informed practice, with a focus on engagement, communication, and supporting vulnerable individuals within the community.

For other specialist roles (e.g. safeguarding officers, domestic abuse investigators), this information is not held within initial training and would need to be obtained from the relevant departments responsible for those areas (e.g. CID training)

Response Q5

a) Approximately how many hours of training related to trauma, ACEs, neurodiversity, and vulnerability are provided during initial police training?

Training in these areas is embedded across multiple inputs rather than delivered as a single standalone package. Based on the cumulative content within safeguarding, domestic abuse, sexual offences, child exploitation, modern slavery, and related modules, it is estimated that recruits receive approximately 30–50 hours of training that includes trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), neurodiversity, and vulnerability.

This includes a combination of classroom inputs, scenario-based learning, immersive training (e.g. VR), and consolidation exercises.

b) Approximately how many hours of training related to empathy, communication, and engagement with vulnerable individuals are provided?

Empathy, communication, and engagement skills are introduced early in training (e.g. Communication Skills in week one) and are reinforced throughout multiple modules and practical scenarios.

Across the full programme, this is estimated at approximately 20–40 hours, including:

• Initial communication skills input
• Scenario-based training and role-play
• Consolidation days and practical assessments
• Inputs from external specialists (e.g. communication with individuals with learning disabilities or mental health needs)

c) Breakdown of training hours (where available)

A precise breakdown is not held, as content is integrated across the curriculum. However, an approximate distribution within initial training is as follows:

• Vulnerability / Safeguarding: 15–25 hours
  (e.g. domestic abuse, child safeguarding, exploitation, modern slavery)
• Mental Health and Neurodiversity Awareness: ~5–10 hours
  (including inputs from external organisations and embedded learning within other modules)
• Trauma-Informed Practice: ~10–20 hours
  (delivered through multiple subject areas and reinforced through scenarios and VR training)
• Communication and Empathy: ~20–40 hours
  (including dedicated communication training, scenario work, and ongoing reinforcement)

Response Q6

As per Response Q6 in below section.

Information regarding specialist roles or refresher training

Response Q1

Yes.

Trauma-informed practice and trauma awareness are embedded across a range of training inputs rather than delivered as a standalone programme. 

This content is incorporated within several core training areas, including:

PIP 2 course – CID Course included during the following inputs

• Youth Offending (External) – Discuss ACE’s
• Stalking and Homicide
• Forced Marriage
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
• Rape and Sexual Offences
• During suspect interviewing week – Appropriate adults / Vulnerability

SCAIDP (Specialist Child Abuse Investigators Development Programme and Specialist Witness Interviewing

Trauma informed practice and awareness is discussed throughout this week but specifically in:

• Introductions to SCAIDP which includes discussions about ACE’S
• FGM
• Multi Agency and partnership working
• CE
• Memory and effects of Trauma on memory
• Trauma informed approach to interviewing as per ABE

SSAIDP (Specialist Sexual Assault Investigators’ Development Programme)

• Trauma informed practice

SOTO (Sexual Offences Trained Officers)

• Memory and Trauma

FLO (Family Liaison Officer)

No specific lesson but this is widely discussed throughout and guest speakers attend and provide inputs which also embed a trauma informed response. 

Delivery is primarily internal and are delivered by Detective Constables however some inputs are delivered from external sources and or subject matter experts.

The duration varies depending on the specific input, as trauma-informed principles are integrated throughout each relevant lesson rather than delivered in isolation.

While there is no single course solely dedicated to trauma informed practice, the principles are a mandatory component within the relevant training areas listed above. This approach is intended to reinforce and normalise trauma-informed practice across a wide range of operational contexts

Response Q2

Yes.

As above

Training relating to empathy, communication, and engagement with vulnerable individuals is delivered throughout the training programme but primarily in the Specialist Witness Interview course .

A key input is provided during this course:

• Effective Communication Skills– Trainer led
• Planning and Preparation and special considerations required when communicating a/ interviewing Children and Vulnerable adults – Trainer led
• Intermediary input – External
• Carmarthenshire People first attend to provide and input as well as helping with practical interviews whereby officers interview vulnerable adults
• Children also attend this course and provide the officers with an opportunity to interview them

In addition, these principles are embedded across multiple other training areas within the PIP 2 course, SSAIDP and SOTO, including:

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual offences
• Child safeguarding
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Modern slavery and human trafficking

These sessions reinforce empathetic engagement, effective communication, and appropriate interaction with individuals experiencing trauma, mental health crises, or other vulnerabilities.

Officers are also required to complete the Understanding Autism E-learning package provided by the college as part of this course. 

The duration varies, as content is integrated across lessons rather than delivered as a single programme.

Once officers have attended this course apart from CPD which is generally offered on division CID Training do not provide refresher training. 

While there is no standalone course solely focused on empathy and communication with vulnerable individuals, the interviewing course provides a good insight and understanding into these areas.

Response Q3

N/A to CID training

Response Q4

Yes 

Specialist trauma-informed training is provided for some roles; however, full details across all specialist functions are not held within initial training.

This is outlined as per question 1

There is no specific course for domestic abuse officers however discussions are held during the CID course.

There was an external course which was run in force last year Public Protections training due to officers becoming omni competent however so far there has only been 1 of these courses and I am unable to provide a full overview of what was included in this course. 

Response Q5

It would be very difficult to provide the exact number of hours as there is no standalone package

a) Training in these areas is embedded across multiple inputs rather than delivered as a single standalone package.

Based on the cumulative content within safeguarding, domestic abuse, sexual offences, child exploitation, modern slavery, and related modules, it is estimated that detectives receive the below number of hours during each course. 

This is an approximate number of hours included within the courses as it is discussed throughout.

The training encompasses trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), neurodiversity, and vulnerability.

PIP 2 course - 13 hours

SCAIDP & Specialist Interviewing - 16 hours

SSAIDP - 3-4 hours

SOTO - 2 hours

b) Approximately how many hours of training related to empathy, communication, and engagement with vulnerable individuals are provided?

This is primarily discussed throughout the SCAIDP and Specialist Interviewing course and officers have an opportunity to plan, prepare and interview vulnerable adults and children. 

This is a 3 week course. 

c) N/A – initial police training question.

Response Q6

With regards to materials used, various documents are utilised to plan the courses and various documents are sent to officers for reference.

Some specific documents which are utilised are:

• Autism: A guide for police officers and police staff -  National Autistic Society
• Trauma-Informed Wales.  A Societal Approach to Understanding, Preventing and supporting the impacts of Trauma and Adversity
• ACE Hub Wales
• Adverse Childhood Experience video

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 16/04/2026)

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