Psychologically Informed Environment PIE Sim Mandair Solace Donna

Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) Sim Mandair – Solace Donna Covey - AVA

What is a PIE? A Psychologically Informed Environment or PIE is a place or a service in which the overall approach and day to day running have been consciously designed to take into account the psychological and emotional needs of the service user*. The concept of PIE was developed by Robin Johnson and Rex Haigh in 2010. *https: //www. rjaconsultancy. org. uk/PIEconcept. html

What is a PIE? In their original paper, Johnson and Haigh suggested that “the definitive marker of a PIE is simply that, if asked why the unit is run in such and such a way, the staff would give an answer couched in terms of the emotional and psychological needs of the service users, rather than giving some more logistical or practical rationale, such as convenience, costs, or Health And Safety regulations”

5 Key Areas When Developing PIE’s • • • Developing therapeutic frameworks The physical environment Staff training and support Managing relationships Evaluation of outcomes

Why Introduce PIE to VAWG Services • Domestic abuse is the most common cause of depression amongst women – 4 X the rate amongst non abused women • 60 -70% of women using mental health services have a life time experience of domestic abuse • 64% of survivors experience PTSD- over 2 X post combat rate for troops

Solace – PIE Project Aim of the project: • Address concerns about access to refuges for women and children with mental health support needs. • Provision of more holistic practice in refuges • Staff training • Meaningful Service User involvement • Women successfully sustain refuge placements through to move on. • Improved outcomes for women and children with mental health support needs - Provision of play and art therapy • Embed reflective practice processes

The Story So Far • AVA carried out review of policies • Proposals taken to users forum -Changes made to policy and procedures • Training provided to all staff on effects of trauma on mental health, counselling skills, and problematic substance use • 100% of staff who attended the training gave positive feedback on all sessions and highlighted the positive changes in practice that would be implemented as a direct result.

The Story So Far • Clinical supervision and reflective practice • Physical changes in refuges being implemented across the sites • 36 referrals have been made to the play therapy – 22 children have completed therapy to date • Partnership work with local mental health and substance misuse services

Contact Details Donna Covey Director AVA- Against Violence and Abuse donna. covey@avaproject. org. uk www. avaproject. org. uk Twitter: @avaproject Sim Mandair Access to Refuges Coordinator (PIE) Solace Women's Aid 07340 686862 s. mandair@solacewomensaid. or g