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KOeSTER

A Therapeutic Service where Relationships are Nurtured

Care with Connection

This course was developed through my work in a Local Authority in London as part of an ongoing project to increase foster carers’ skills in therapeutic caregiving. We used research and material from experts in the field, like Kim Golding, Daniel Siegel, Bessel van der Kolk, Gerrilyn Smith, Miriam Silver and Amber Elliott to develop this course, offered to caregivers over a period of 6 – 8 weeks (one day a week).

The effects of trauma, abuse and neglect on neuro-development have become increasingly clear, and it is important to understand the impact that these may have on the child’s emerging cognitive, social, physical and emotional development. Identifying the gaps in children’s previous experiences will enable carers to have a clearer idea about the kinds of nurturing experiences that they may have missed out on. The training programme will explore creative ways of meeting previously unmet needs for sensory stimulation and emotional attunement. These experiences are central to the development of more secure attachments between children and their carers.

We will be covering a number of theoretical ideas to help carers understand something more about the effects of separation, abuse and trauma on the child’s behaviour, understanding and relationships, and how these get played out in  everyday life. Carers have a crucial role in providing new experiences, for soothing, teaching new patterns of behaviour and offering opportunities for relating in new and more rewarding ways.

The training is practical and focus on using play and other creative and sensory experiences to enable children to engage and connect with themselves, their environment and with their carer.

Course objectives:

  • Understanding of the development of secure and insecure attachments, and the effects of abuse and neglect on the child’s behaviour and relationships.
  • Increased ability to tune in to the emotional needs of the child and respond in ways that will facilitate the development of emotional and social skills and understanding.
  • Develop a repertoire of games and creative activities that will promote regulation of arousal and increased attachment
  • Learn non-confrontational skills for managing behaviour and teaching problem-solving and  new skills

See what carers have said about this course here

Please get in touch to discuss. The course can be modified to suit specific group needs.