Caring with Connection: Therapeutic Parenting for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

Supporting children who have experienced trauma requires acceptance, curiosity and empathy. Therapeutic parenting is a trauma informed approach that places connection at the heart of healing. By strengthening the relationship between carer and child, therapeutic parenting helps children and young people make sense of their experiences, emotions and behaviour and supports understanding and co-regulation.

This training will help you understand the impact of trauma and better understand what children and young people are trying to communicate through their behaviour. It will help you develop practical therapeutic skills for times when it’s really hard, and build stronger relationships that support connection and acceptance.   

Supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma can be rewarding, but it can also present significant challenges. We know that setting aside time for training is not always easy. This course is designed to strengthen your understanding of trauma-informed care, build your confidence in applying therapeutic approaches, and offer valuable time for reflection, self-care, and personal renewal.

Support children to feel safe and secure

Learn how to parent and understand children’s needs through connection to support children to feel safe.

Achieving long term stability
Work towards supporting children to establish long term relationships with their foster carers, where they feel accepted and understood.

Self-care and emotional regulation

Supporting and caring for children affected by trauma requires enduring patience, empathy and understanding. Learn the self-care and reflective tools needed to provide this.

Enhance your skills
Develop specialist knowledge in therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed care for those working across fostering, social care, and education.

This course is delivered by Olivia Clark, Senior Practice Consultant, and Ange Durling, Practice Consultant, at The Fostering Network.

Olivia Clark has 16 years of experience supporting children, families, and foster carers as a qualified social worker and manager. Olivia has expertise in therapeutic and trauma-informed practice, holding DDP Level 1 training. Drawing on both professional and lived experience, Olivia is passionate about helping carers and services develop trauma-informed, relationship-based practice.

Angela Durling is a qualified social worker with 10 years experience working in Child Protection and Fostering services. ​Ange brings a rich, practical insight into therapeutic and trauma‑informed support for children and fostering families, creating training that balances solid theory with lived professional experience.