TRAUMA SERVICE
Proud to be shortlisted for the UK’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards 2022
Make A Referral
Before you make a referral please read our referral criteria
Our Offer
We provide an accessible, compassionate and evidence-based trauma service for children and young people (CYP) aged 5–18 years who have experienced a single traumatic event or traumatic bereavement.
Some people recover from a trauma with no or little additional support, especially if symptoms are mild. However, many people can develop chronic symptoms that can be long lasting. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the name given to describe these symptoms.
Psychological support can be very effective in helping people with PTSD. Therapies available include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (tf-CBT).
It is important that you visit your GP as soon after a trauma as possible. They can help to signpost you to the most appropriate early support or more specialist psychological services if symptoms persist.
What we provide:
- Trauma-focused therapeutic interventions (NICE guidelines informed)
- 1:1 therapy (6–12 sessions) tailored to individual needs
- Structured group programmes (6 sessions)
- Consultation and liaison with families, education settings and professionals
Our approach:
- Accessible, inclusive and responsive
- Compassionate and supportive
- Evidence-based and clinically robust
- Focused on recovery and adaptive growth
- Supporting children to reclaim their childhood and re-engage in development
Our service is child-centred and inclusive, ensuring that the voices of children and young people shape their care and recovery journey. We work collaboratively with families, schools and professionals as part of a “team around the child” to deliver joined-up, holistic care.
What We Support
Single Event Trauma
Single event trauma refers to a one-off distressing or frightening experience that overwhelms a child or young person’s ability to cope.
Examples include:
- Road traffic accidents
- Medical emergencies or procedures
- Fires or accidents
- One-off assaults (including sexual assault)
- Witnessing a traumatic event
- Animal-related injuries
These experiences may lead to ongoing post-traumatic stress symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, avoidance behaviours, or emotional distress.
Traumatic Bereavement
Traumatic bereavement occurs when a child or young person experiences the death of someone significant in a sudden, unexpected, or distressing way.
This may include:
- Sudden or accidental death
- Suicide
- Witnessed or violent death
In these circumstances, grief is combined with trauma responses, which can significantly impact emotional wellbeing and development.
Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
Children and young people can access this service if they:
- Are aged 5–18 years
- Live in Bedfordshire, or are registered with a Bedfordshire GP or school
- Have experienced a single-event trauma or traumatic bereavement
- Are experiencing persistent PTSD symptoms that are not naturally resolving
- Present with post-traumatic symptoms as their primary need
- Experienced the traumatic event at least 6 weeks prior to referral
The event which has necessitated this referral should be in the past and the child/young person in a position of current safety and stability, to enable safe reflection on distressing memories.
Exclusion Criteria
This service may not be suitable where:
- There are ongoing legal proceedings or active social care investigations
- The child or young person is experiencing ongoing or unresolved trauma
- There is significant clinical or forensic risk
- The presentation involves complex or multiple trauma beyond the scope of this service.
Please be aware, our intervention is aimed at relieving post-traumatic symptoms following a specific traumatic event, rather than supporting longer-term or ongoing adverse experiences.
Where appropriate, we will signpost or support referrals to alternative services.
Find out about what we offer in this video, made with children who have been supported by CHUMS Trauma Service.
Referral Information
We accept referrals from:
- Parents and carers
- Young people (self-referral)
- Professionals (e.g. schools, health, social care)
- Internal CHUMS services
How to Refer
Referrals are made via our online referral portal:
We also work directly with schools to identify and deliver group interventions where appropriate.
Other Services in Bedfordshire
If this service is not suitable or additional support is required, you can explore other local support options for children, young people, and families here:
Central Bedfordshire
Luton Borough
Children, young people and families
Bedford Borough
Mental Health Support for Children and Young People
Additional Support and Resources
Anyone can contact the organisations below to get advice and help for a child.
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Childline Helpline
0800 111
Family Lives Helpline
For emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Tel. 0808 800 2222
Get Self Help
Headspace
Refugee Council
Wellbeing-support for refugee adults and families with children (asylum-route, VPRS, VCRS and Gateway) and separated children seeking asylum.
The Mix
Young Minds
Information Guides
Helping children cope after a traumatic event:
Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma
Trauma – Information for Children and Young People
Emergency Information
If you need to speak to someone about your wellbeing, there are helplines available which are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Samaritans – tel: 116 123
ChildLine – tel: 08001111
Papyrus: 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967
If you are in need of urgent help with physical or mental health, please ring NHS 111 and select option 2, or attend your local A&E.