Compassion fatigue is described as, ‘the risk of empathic connection with the pain of others’ or put more simply, ‘the cost of caring’.

National Association of Therapeutic Parents Who We Are | National Association of Therapeutic Parents

Seeing things from the child’s perspective is so critical – seeking to understand their perspective is such an important first step for the teachers and the staff. A lot of the violence comes about when the child can’t exit the classroom. What we cover on our joint-delivery training courses with Dynamis is around the idea that, well there are particular ways in which this child is interpreting the world at this moment, this is how they’re feeling. And once you get that, the strategies which teaching staff can use to influence their behaviour come a lot easier” It is important to consider caring language with working with children who are looked after. We all use terms like ‘respite’ and ‘placements’ in front of children which is not ideal or thoughtful.

Developmental Trauma Close Up– written for parents and carers of children who have experienced early loss, trauma and attachment disruption. Language that cares Fostering Devon is on the way to changing this negative language with the help of our children in care! The Scared Gang– box set to read with children, written by Éadaoin Bhreathnach, Occupational Therapist and Attachment Counsellor. Hughes’ words are echoed by Jefferies, who states that therapeutic parenting enables children ‘to self-regulate and develop an understanding of their behaviours and ultimately form secure attachments which will, ultimately, minimise the impact of childhood trauma.’

The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting: Strategies and Solutions

The PST provides a six-week Foundations for Attachment group which supports the parenting of traumatised children. This is complemented by an 18-week Nurturing Attachments Group, provided by our children in care CAMHS colleagues.

Guides and resources

There are many types of therapeutic parenting,’ says Dr Dan Hughes, a US-based clinician specialising in children with emotional and behavioural problems. Hughes developed Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).

Therapeutic parenting - Fostering Devon Therapeutic parenting - Fostering Devon

Also known as Attachment-Focused Family Therapy, DDP supports the relationship between parents and children with developmental trauma, with the aim of healing past trauma and enabling the child to feel safe. The aim of the PST is to strengthen stability within our foster families through crisis intervention and planned, time-limited, therapeutic support. We encourage a multi-agency approach, providing specialised support at the right time.

Therapeutic parenting is often regarded as being exclusively for traumatised children who have nearly always been in care, fostered or adopted. But this isn’t always the case.