In conversation: Rachele Millerchip, Current Learner, Diploma Practice Leadership in Trauma Informed Practice
The RRN is delighted to introduce Rachele Millerchip, a current learner on the RRN’s Diploma Practice Leadership in Trauma Informed Practice.
Here, Rachele shares her thoughts on the qualification so far, and how her learning is enabling her to support colleagues to embed trauma informed working in their practice.
Please could you give us a brief summary of your role.
"I work as a Behaviour Therapist for an adult residential service. I work with people with learning disabilities and autistic people with complex needs. I’ve been in my role for 8 years, and I’m a Practice Leader for Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), mentoring and supporting staff to deliver high quality support."
What made you decide to embark on the qualification?
"Recently we’ve found lots of the adults we work with have experienced trauma and mental health problems and we identified trauma as a gap in our knowledge."
Why is trauma informed working important in your role?
"Due to the nature of the service, lots of the people that we work with have been in residential care for most of their lives. That in itself can be traumatic – living away from family, away from their home environment with lots of changes, and that’s not always recognised. We don’t always have the full picture, and an understanding of trauma is the missing piece."
How has your learning impacted on the practice of your colleagues?
"I am actively working with teams who support people who are experiencing or have experienced trauma. I’m supporting them to understand trauma and attachment and my learning is making me reflect on how best to do that. Recently I’ve been having conversations with my supervisor about increasing trauma informed practice across the service. The course gives you lots of ideas and information you can use in workshops and apply in practice in role."
What does being a learner on the course involve?
"I work part-time and study outside of work. I’m motivated and interested to do it. It’s so valuable to me personally, and to my organisation.
We meet once a month as a group, which is enough. We all have different experiences, and so bring different perspectives to our discussions. We’re all working at roughly the same pace which means we’re able to contribute equally and share our ideas."
What is your favourite thing about the programme?
"I really enjoy the group tutorials. Trauma can be a heavy, difficult subject, but the tutorials, and how our tutor manages them, makes it feel a comfortable and good space to share and learn."
Are there any other comments you would like to share?
"Do it! It will change your practice, help you to reflect on practice and benefit the people you’re supporting. You’re getting really good training and valuable knowledge in trauma. I’m learning a lot. The programme helps you to learn how to pass knowledge and skills on to others; those you’re working with, people you’re supporting and staff teams."
Find out more about the qualification here. Â
