All children coming into care will have experienced trauma, and this is the case for the children who are cared for by our foster carers. Separation and loss, abuse and neglect are what the children you will care for will have had experience of, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and developmental trauma.
Caring for children who have experienced developmental trauma can be extremely demanding and challenging and since the turn of the century, thanks to the wonders of neuroscience and research we are developing a greater understanding and insight into the impact it has on a child’s brain and development.
At Kasper we have access to in house and external therapists to work directly with children and to also offer support to our carers. All our frontline staff, including supervising social workers, have been / will be trained in DDP Level 1 (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy). It is an introductory training course designed for professionals and caregivers working with children who have experienced developmental trauma and attachment difficulties. It provides a foundational understanding of how trauma impacts a child’s development and teaches the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) model to help adults create a sense of emotional safety and strengthen their relationship with the child.
Our carers undertake training in trauma informed care, this is an ongoing learning so you are best equipped to have an understanding and insight about the needs of the child or children you are caring for.
Caring for children who have experienced developmental trauma can be incredibly demanding as well as rewarding so it is vital that our carers have the time and space to reflect on their experiences and feel understood and supported in their role as a foster carer. As carers you have a pivotal role in supporting the children you care for to recover from their trauma, and as a fostering agency our role is to ensure that you also feel supported and cared for.
