What is Therapeutic Foster Care?

For children who have unfortunately experienced trauma or have complex emotional needs, a standard foster carer may not be equipped to offer the support that they require. 

Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to thrive in, but for children who have had challenging experiences in the past and have lived through trauma or neglect, it can be more difficult for them to adjust to a new environment, especially in foster care, which can, unfortunately, create a sense of instability for children that have experienced trauma.

At Meadows Psychology Service, we strongly support the positive impact that therapeutic foster care can have on a child who has had an unstable or traumatic upbringing.

In this article, we will address any questions you may have, starting with what therapeutic fostering is.

What is Therapeutic Foster Care?

Therapeutic foster care

Therapeutic Foster Care is a specialised type of foster care that creates a structured home environment with complex emotional, behavioural or physical needs. 

These environments provide intensive support, meeting the needs of the children who require it. The foster carers in these homes have received extensive training in managing their needs and implementing therapy-based practices and individual treatment plans. 

Children raised in these environments have a better chance of developing healthy coping mechanisms and self-regulation skills, which will help them when they leave care.

 

Who Requires Therapeutic Foster Care? 

Therapeutic foster care is specifically designed to provide support for children who have significant emotional, behavioural, mental or physical health needs. 

A standard foster care environment may not be equipped to offer the children the support they need, which can be a detriment to their development as their complex needs require a different approach. 

It is important to remember that a child’s brain development differs when comparing those who have experienced early trauma to those who have not. Therefore, a different approach is required.

Some key characteristics of a child that requires therapeutic foster care include:

  • A history of trauma or abuse
  • Mental health challenges
  • Developmental delays
  • Complex medical needs
  • Severe behavioural challenges

There may be other circumstances where a child requires therapeutic care, but those instances are the most common.

Key Components of Therapeutic Foster Care

Therapeutic foster care

Now that you better understand why a child may require therapeutic foster care, we will explain the key components, all of which are essential to providing the best care possible.

Specialised Training

All foster carers in therapeutic programs are expected to undergo intensive and advanced training to help them develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of childhood trauma. This includes some of the behavioural and emotional challenges.

During the training, specific areas, such as de-escalation techniques and developing effective communication strategies are heavily focused on.

This training is essential to equip foster carers with the tools to provide a stable and supportive environment for children with complex needs who may be in their care. 

Professional Support

When it comes to therapeutic foster care, it is recommended that a collaborative approach is taken to provide the child with the best support possible. 

Professionals from different fields, usually including therapists, medical professionals, and educators, will collaborate to provide the best possible care for the child involved.

Using their individual areas of expertise, they ensure that the child is progressing as expected, especially in terms of emotional and social development. These collaborators will also create an individualised care plan tailored to each child’s needs.

Individualised Care Plans

No two children in therapeutic foster care are the same. They each have a unique and complex story and a unique set of needs, making personalised care plans absolutely essential.

The support professionals will conduct an extensive assessment of the child’s behavioural and emotional needs and set goals outlining what they wish to achieve through therapeutic foster care. 

These plans are dynamic and will evolve as the child hits milestones and progresses through care. They tend to focus on helping the child with social integration strategies and educational support. 

Creating a Stable and Nurturing Environment

Children who have experienced trauma or have been raised in turbulent environments deserve to feel a sense of stability that they may not have had previous access to. 

Therapeutic foster care can provide consistency and predictability, which are crucial for the development of a child who has never experienced stability. 

It is important to create a consistent schedule for meals, leisure activities, school, and even therapy if it is required. By doing so, you can help reduce the child’s anxiety and promote emotional stability.

 

Benefits of Therapeutic Foster Care

Therapeutic foster care

There are a lot of reasons why therapeutic foster care is so beneficial in the care of children who have had difficult starts in life. By addressing their unique challenges, you can provide a foundation for healing and personal development. Here are just some of the benefits of therapeutic foster care. 

Improved Emotional Regulation

One of the primary focuses of therapeutic foster care is helping children process past trauma and develop the skills necessary for emotional regulation. 

Through therapy sessions and the stability of the environment, the children learn to better express their feelings and work through their experiences, which can help them better process their difficult emotions in the future. 

Better Academic Performance

It can be difficult for a child who has experienced emotional hardship or trauma to stay focused or make friends in an educational setting.  Childhood trauma can present itself in a number of ways in a classroom setting, making it difficult for the child to achieve their potential. 

In therapeutic foster care, the children receive tailored educational plans and one-on-one tutoring. This support is instrumental in improving their academic abilities and preparing them for future opportunities. 

Children who have been in therapeutic foster care and received academic support have been reported to achieve higher grades and increased confidence in their academic abilities. 

Enhanced Coping Skills

Therapeutic foster care is fantastic for helping children develop the tools they need to manage stress and adversity. Through therapy sessions and the implementation of coping strategies like mindfulness, children can better manage their emotions. 

This can have a long-term positive impact on how the child is able to cope with their emotions, contributing to them having much more fulfilling lives.

 

Get Started With Meadows Psychology Service

Therapeutic foster care

Therapeutic foster care is more than just a placement; it’s a lifeline for children who have faced significant challenges. By combining the love and stability of a nurturing home with professional therapeutic support, this approach helps children heal, grow, and build a brighter future. 

At Meadows Psychology Services, we are proud to support therapeutic foster care by providing the expertise and tools needed for children and families to succeed together. If you’d like to learn more about therapeutic foster care or how we can help, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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