As the landscape of children’s social care continues to shift, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: trauma-informed commissioning is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s a necessity.
For Dr Asha Patel, Clinical Psychologist and CEO of Innovating Minds, this isn’t just a professional opinion. It’s a conclusion drawn from years of working alongside local authorities, schools, and community services to embed trauma-informed practices that make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
“We’re at a critical juncture. The reforms are coming, and they’re asking us to do better. Trauma-informed commissioning is how we rise to that challenge, not just by changing what we deliver, but how we think about delivery altogether.”
One of the most significant shifts in recent years is the legal recognition of children as victims of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This change has profound implications for how services are designed and commissioned.
“Children are no longer seen as passive witnesses to domestic abuse,” Dr Patel explains. “They are recognised as victims in their own right. That means we have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the support they receive is timely, appropriate, and trauma-informed.”
Yet, despite this recognition, many local systems still lack the infrastructure to respond effectively. Services are often fragmented, reactive, and short-term, leaving children to fall through the cracks.
Dr Patel has seen first-hand how current commissioning models can unintentionally reinforce these gaps. Contracts are often short-term, focused on outputs rather than outcomes, and disconnected from the lived experiences of children and families.
“Commissioning cycles tend to prioritise crisis response over early intervention,” she says. “But when we wait for children to reach a threshold of harm before offering support, we’re not just failing them, we’re creating long-term costs for the system.”
These costs aren’t just financial. They’re human. Children who don’t receive the right support early on are more likely to experience difficulties in education, mental health, and relationships, often carrying the impact of trauma into adulthood.
Innovating Minds’ Healing Together programme offers a clear example of what trauma-informed commissioning can look like in practice. Designed for children aged 5–16 who have experienced domestic abuse, the programme is delivered by the existing local practitioners in schools, family hubs, and community settings.
But Healing Together is more than a programme, it’s a model for sustainable, system-wide change.
“We don’t just parachute in and deliver sessions,” Dr Patel explains. “We work with commissioners to build local capacity. That means training existing staff, embedding access to ongoing coaching, and supporting long-term implementation that doesn’t rely on external providers.”
This approach ensures that support is not only accessible and timely, but also culturally relevant and embedded within the community. It empowers practitioners, strengthens local systems, and, most importantly, helps children begin to heal.
With the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and the Domestic Abuse Act setting the direction for reform, 2026/2027 presents a unique window of opportunity.
“Commissioners have a chance to lead the way,” says Dr Patel. “By embedding trauma-informed principles into their commissioning strategies now, they can future-proof their services and ensure they’re aligned with national priorities.”
But this opportunity won’t last forever. As funding streams shift and new frameworks are introduced, those who act early will be best positioned to shape the future of children’s services in their area.
Dr Patel’s message to commissioners is clear: trauma-informed commissioning isn’t about adding another layer of complexity. It’s about simplifying what matters, relationships, safety, and healing.
“We need to stop commissioning in silos and start commissioning for healing. That means asking different questions, listening to lived experience, and designing services that reflect the realities of trauma.”
As we look ahead to 2026/2027, the question is no longer if trauma-informed commissioning is needed, it’s how quickly we can make it the norm.
This is your final chance to explore how trauma-informed commissioning can transform support for children affected by domestic abuse in your area.
📞 Book a call with Dr Asha Patel