Hull City Council uses virtual reality training to raise social workers' awareness of adverse childhood experiences. The immersive sessions let staff who work directly with vulnerable adults and children experience, first-hand, the impact of trauma, abuse and neglect from the child's perspective. Trade press reports that social workers and housing teams are among those who have completed the training.
The council worked with Cornerstone VR, part of the Antser Group, which provides trauma-informed VR training. The training was enabled by and funded through the Humber Social Work Teaching Partnership. It was delivered in Hull by Learning and Development Specialist Trainers and a Family Practitioner, hosted with the council's Social Work Academy.
Cornerstone VR reports that 98% of participants said the experience gave them a deeper insight into a child's perspective, made them think differently and prompted them to consider alternative ways to respond when working with vulnerable individuals. This is a provider-reported, self-reported figure; the number of people surveyed and the survey method were not stated.
Cornerstone VR's Head of Operations and Practice, Serena Hadi, described the technology as already a game changer for trauma-informed practice in Hull. Councillor Linda Tock, portfolio holder for children's services, said the investment would help staff and partners understand trauma through the eyes of the child and better support children and young people in the long term.
