Dr. Alex Chard and Marc Radley

West Midlands Combined Authority, 2025

In the autumn of 2021 a Trauma Informed Coalition (TIC) was established across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area. The aim was to establish a trauma-informed region. This report was commissioned by the WMCA on behalf of the TIC.

When commissioned, the authors were asked to undertake a focused literature review of the best available evidence on the social and financial benefits of the region becoming trauma-informed. The review was to include an analysis of the evidence of the structural and possible organisational barriers. The other purpose of the literature review was to contribute to a financial analysis and benefits modelling.

As well as discussing the issues found within the West Midlands, the authors also critique the broader adverse childhood experiences policies in place across the four nations of the UK.