Fostering Changes (Redeveloped Programme)

Course Overview

Fostering Changes is an interactive 10-week programme designed to support foster carers in building strong, secure, and nurturing relationships with the children and young people in their care. Through a combination of learning, reflection and practical application, participants will develop confidence in responding to children's needs using trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches.

The programme moves beyond traditional behaviour management models and focuses on understanding the experiences that shape children's behaviours, helping carers create environments where children can feel safe, connected and supported to thrive.

Aims

The programme aims to:

• Increase foster carers' understanding of how trauma, loss and adversity can impact children's development, behaviour, and relationships.
• Strengthen foster carers' ability to build trusting, secure, and nurturing relationships with children and young people.
• Develop foster carers' confidence in using therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches in everyday fostering situations.
• Support foster carers to understand and manage their own emotional responses and wellbeing when caring for children who may present with complex needs.
• Promote reflective practice that enables foster carers to learn, adapt and build on new skills over time.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Recognise how children's experiences and life histories may influence their behaviour and emotional responses.
• Apply practical trauma-informed strategies to support children during times of stress, dysregulation and challenge.
• Use relationship-based approaches that prioritise connection, trust and emotional safety.
• Understand the role of co-regulation and develop skills to help children build emotional regulation over time.
• Set and maintain clear, consistent boundaries while preserving positive relationships.
• Use effective repair strategies following conflict, difficulties, or relationship ruptures.
• Better support children and young people through adolescence, identity development, and experiences of divided loyalties.
• Develop greater awareness of their own wellbeing, resilience and self-care needs as foster carers.

Course Features

Participants will:

• Attend weekly sessions over 10 weeks online.
• Learn practical strategies that can be applied immediately within the fostering role.
• Reflect on and share experiences within a supportive learning environment.
• Practise new approaches between sessions and build on their learning throughout the programme.
• Receive resources and tools to support ongoing development and confidence in their fostering practice.

Course dates:

• Week 1: Wednesday 30 September

• Week 2: Thursday 8 October

• Week 3: Monday 12 October

• Week 4: Thursday 22 October

• Week 5: Thursday 29 October

• Week 6: Thursday 5 November

• Week 7: Monday 9 November

• Week 8: Thursday 19 November

• Week 9: Thursday 26 November

• Week 10: Thursday 3 December

Please note: Fostering Changes is currently in the final stages of redevelopment. The aims, objectives and course content outlined above may be subject to minor refinement as the programme is finalised and quality assured prior to delivery.

This course will take place virtually on MS Teams

Joining instructions will be sent a few days prior to the start date.