Therapeutically Informed Placements

Supporting children through understanding, reflection, and relationship-based care

At Family Works Fostering, we believe that all children and young people placed in foster care benefit from a therapeutically informed approach. Many children entering care have experienced trauma, loss, instability, or complex emotional challenges. A therapeutic model ensures that their needs are understood at a deeper level — and responded to with skill, empathy, and insight. To achieve this, we have implemented a whole-system programme of therapeutically informed development for our staff and foster carers, delivered in partnership with Orb8, an external organisation specialising in translating therapeutic theory into practical foster care development.

What Is a Therapeutically Informed Placement?

A therapeutically informed placement goes beyond traditional behaviour management. It focuses on:

• Understanding the impact of trauma
• Recognising attachment patterns
• Supporting emotional regulation
• Building safe, secure relationships
• Responding to behaviour with curiosity and reflection

This approach helps children feel understood rather than judged, creating an environment where healing and growth can take place.

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Our Partnership with Orb8

Family Works Fostering works closely with Orb8, specialists in therapeutic foster care development. Together, we provide:

• Staff and carer training programmes
• Therapeutic consultation sessions
• Reflective practice groups
• Clinical input from qualified therapists
• Ongoing specialist support

This structured programme ensures that our fostering service consistently meets the needs of children and young people with complex presentations requiring specialist and skilled intervention.

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Specialist Training for Foster Carers

Our foster carers receive therapeutically centred training that provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in areas including:

• Emotional trauma
• Neurodevelopment and attachment disorders
• Loss, rejection, and bereavement
• Gender and identity
• Self-harm awareness
• Supporting children with learning difficulties
• Relationship-based parenting approaches

This comprehensive training equips carers with the confidence and understanding needed to provide consistent, nurturing support.

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Reflective Supervision & Clinical Support

In addition to training, Family Works Fostering carers receive:

• Regular therapeutic consultation
• Reflective supervision sessions
• Practice groups
• Reflective case discussions
• Input from qualified therapists and clinicians

These opportunities allow carers to explore challenges safely, deepen their understanding, and develop reflective parenting skills. This ongoing support strengthens placement stability and promotes better outcomes for children.

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Building Reflective and Relationship-Based Care

Our training programme helps carers develop their reflective capacity — the ability to think about the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that influence a child’s behaviour.

Rather than focusing solely on managing behaviours, carers are supported to consider:

• The child’s past traumatic experiences
• How attachment difficulties influence reactions
• The emotional meaning behind behaviours
• The importance of secure, trusting relationships

This relationship-based approach recognises that healing happens within safe, consistent, and emotionally attuned connections.

Supporting Children with Complex Needs

Children with complex emotional, behavioural, or developmental needs require skilled and supported carers. Through our therapeutically informed model, we are able to:

• Better understand complex presentations
• Provide targeted, specialist support
• Improve placement stability
• Increase carer confidence
• Promote long-term emotional wellbeing

This whole-system approach ensures children receive the care they need within a family environment supported by professional expertise.

Why Choose Family Works Fostering?

A fully integrated therapeutically informed model

Partnership with specialist therapeutic provider Orb8

Ongoing training and clinical consultation

Reflective supervision and practice groups

A child-centred, trauma-informed ethos

Our commitment to therapeutic fostering ensures that carers are never alone in supporting children with complex needs.

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Interested in Therapeutic Fostering?

If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people who have experienced trauma, we would love to hear from you.

Call us on 01702 65 57 38
Email: admin@fw-fostering.co.uk Together, we can provide safe, understanding, and healing environments for children who need them most.