Training Program

Therapeutic training for care teams

Equipping staff in children's residential care homes with the knowledge and skills to become effective healing agents in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

About the Programme

This training programme is designed for staff working in children's residential care homes who support children and young people with histories of trauma, neglect, disrupted attachments, abuse, loss, and developmental adversity. The programme integrates the principles of Attachment Theory, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), and Theraplay, providing staff with practical, relationship-focused skills that promote emotional regulation, safety, trust, and resilience.

The overall aim is to help staff move beyond behaviour management approaches and develop a deeper understanding of the emotional, relational, and developmental needs that underpin children's behaviour. Staff learn how healing relationships can become the primary therapeutic intervention within residential care.

Throughout the programme, participants engage in reflective discussions, case studies, role-play exercises, and practical activities that can be directly applied within the home environment. By the end of the programme, staff will be equipped to create a nurturing and attuned caregiving culture that supports children's emotional wellbeing and attachment security.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will:

Understand attachment patterns and their impact on behaviour and relationships.
Recognise the effects of developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Apply DDP and PACE principles confidently in everyday interactions.
Use Theraplay-informed approaches to strengthen relationships and emotional security.
Support children's emotional regulation through co-regulation and attunement.
Respond to challenging behaviours in a trauma-informed and attachment-focused manner.
Build stronger, more trusting relationships with children and young people.
Contribute to a consistent therapeutic culture within the residential setting.

This programme promotes the view that every interaction within a children's home has the potential to be therapeutic. By combining Attachment Theory, DDP, PACE, and Theraplay principles, staff develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to become effective healing agents in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

Training Topics

Topics and areas covered in the sessions of training programme for carers

Who We Work With

Children's homes
Supported accommodation
Semi-independent provisions
Fostering agencies
Schools
Local authorities

Training Formats

In-person

Both one to one consultations and group setting.

Online

Both one to one consultations and group setting.

Open Group Intervention

An ongoing programme - a combination of elements from group therapy, training, consultation and mentoring for care home staff.

Training Programmes

Therapeutic Caregiving for Residential Carers

Training on therapeutic caregiving for residential carers.

Therapeutic Caregiving for Foster Carers

Training on therapeutic caregiving for foster carers.

Attachment-Focused, Trauma-Informed Care for Professionals

Training on attachment focused trauma informed care for other professionals (semi-independent placement workers, social workers, personal advisors for care-leavers).

Residential Care Home Staff & Team Development

Residential care home staff and team development.

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Together we can help every child feel they belong.

Whether you are a social worker, a local authority, a children's home, or a parent - we would love to start the conversation.