Gwella was a four-year pioneering research and practice project operated in partnership between Barnardo’s Cymru and Cardiff University and funded by the Welsh Government via Sustainable Social Services Grant.
The Gwella approach has sought to develop an evidence-based earlier intervention model for the multi-agency workforce working with children who have experienced childhood trauma. It includes a number of principles with an established evidence base, such as multi-agency working, relational practice, supporting healthy child development and professional consultation and supervision. It also draws on emerging models such as the Trauma Recovery Model (TRM) and the Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE) approach to supporting primary carers, promoted in Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP).
The research focussed on the experiences of all those involved with the project: the Gwella team, parents and carers, children, consultant specialists, and external professionals from social care and education.
You can read the full report as well as its executive summary.
We are finalising details of an online event where you will be able to hear about the project, evaluation findings and access relevant workshops; we will be in touch once the registrations are open.
If you would like to discuss the Gwella approach and evaluation report further, please contact Ceri Evans ceri.evans@barnardos.org.uk and Pat Duke pat.duke@barnardos.org.uk
