Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership hits milestone in building a trauma informed Region

MERSEYSIDE'S Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP) has reached a milestone in its work to increase awareness and understanding of trauma across our Region.

More than 500 professionals who work across the public and third sector have now taken the MVRP's free trauma informed training focused on recognising the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACES) with a focus on helping them to better understand and respond to the needs of our communities.

Delivered by industry experts, the training focuses on supporting organisations and their employees to appreciate how psychological trauma and ACES can impact on individuals and highlights the implications it can have for their services.

Professionals working in social care, education, policing, probation, and community safety have all undertaken the four-week course which covers subjects such as understanding vulnerability and the impact of trauma, recognising feelings, and building trust and how to respond to a crisis. Representatives from domestic abuse, child exploitation and road safety charities, as well as youth workers are also among those who benefited from the training.

The free training was 1st rolled out in October following a successful pilot last summer and feedback from the courses is already showing the difference it is making to the way professionals approach and engage with children, adults, and families they support through their safeguarding work.

Drew Griffiths, Support Worker at Venus Charity said:- "My work is guiding young people around the dangers of organised crime groups and County Lines and by listening to other people's stories I have been able to enhance my knowledge and experience. I would recommend the course 100%."

Sgt Kate Roberts from Merseyside Police said:- "It's not just working with vulnerable people where I know this will help. It's also with myself, my family, and my colleagues. By changing our understanding, we can improve outcomes and change the effects adverse childhood experiences have had."

The training package is 1 of the MVRP's flagship initiatives and following its success in its 1st 4 months, the goal is to now reach all professionals working in safeguarding across Merseyside with a vision of helping to create a truly trauma-responsive Region.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:- "MVRP's trauma informed training was only launched in October, so to reach and train 500 professionals in just 4 months is a fantastic achievement. Each and every professional who has that training is going back to their organisations and their communities with a greater understanding of trauma and its effects, equipping them with the skills to better respond to the people they are supporting. This is vital if we are to build a trauma aware and responsive Region which can protect the vulnerable and build safer, stronger communities."

MVRP's Director Superintendent Georgie Garvey said:- "It's vital we understand how trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact us for our whole lives. By increasing our understanding of trauma and working in a trauma informed way, we can help to protect our young people and help people to live healthier, safer lives. It's a brilliant achievement that today the 500th person is taking the training. This is just the start though; I'd encourage professionals across the Region to find out about this training and sign up to 1 of our future courses."

To find out more about this training and book your place on an upcoming course please visit:- MerseysidEVRP.Com.

New plan to tackle racial inequality in the Liverpool City Region job market

PLANS to help unemployed Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people facing barriers to accessing opportunities in the workplace have been unveiled by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Four new Trainee Race Equality Employment Advocate roles have been created to help tackle the inequalities preventing people from getting the help they need to move forward.

The trainee advocates will be part of the Combined Authority's Households into Work programme, working closely with its Race Equality Hub.

The £2.3m Race Equality Hub was established by Mayor Steve Rotheram to support career opportunities and the development of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic businesses across the City Region.

Households into Work goes further than supporting people into jobs. The programme helps identify and overcome barriers, such:- as debt, lack of skills, health issues and self esteem to the point where employment is a realistic and attainable goal.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business said:- "The funding of the Hub was the largest investment in race equality in the history of the City Region. It is operating as a centre of excellence in tackling racial inequality by focusing on business, employment, and skills development across our area. The new advocates will be focusing on reaching Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people who are further away from the job market, providing support and opening opportunities."

The HiW programme has supported more than 4,000 people since its launch in 2018, but people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are still missing out on opportunities.

Race Equality Hub Programme Director, Alison Navarro said:- "The Hub's primary purpose is to tackle systemic injustice and inequality and drive forward positive change for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic employees and residents. The creation of these new roles, working within an existing team that is making a difference to residents across the LCRCA is an amazing opportunity to reach more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community members and to understand the challenges they face in accessing employment and supporting them on their journey."

Recruitment has begun for the new advocates who will be from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and have a passion for advocating for ethnically diverse people with multiple complex issues who would not be capable of obtaining and sustaining a job without support.

The initiative ties into the Hub's objectives to operate as a centre of excellence in tackling racial inequality by focusing on employability, business support and leadership across the Liverpool City Region.

The Trainee Race Equality Employment Advocate roles will primarily operate on an outreach basis within 1 of the Liverpool City Region's Local Authority areas, namely:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens or Wirral, but may be required to cover other areas if needed.

The posts are being advertised as Fixed Term contracts in line with current Households into Work funding. Prospective applicants can find further information here.

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