Fostering is an incredibly meaningful journey that often comes with unique challenges, especially when caring for children and young people who have faced trauma. At Foster Wales Carmarthenshire, we recognise the importance of supporting foster carers not just logistically, but emotionally and therapeutically too. Through our emotional health team, we offer therapeutic support designed to help carers understand, connect, and nurture the children and young people in their care.
Who are the emotional health team?
Our emotional health team consists of skilled therapists and psychologists dedicated to supporting foster carers and the children and young people in their care. They work either directly with foster carers or through consultations with supervising social workers, helping them to better understand the needs of the children and young people. The emotional health team recognises that the attachments and bonds foster carers form with these children and young people play a crucial role in the children’s long-term wellbeing.
“When we see a child develop a strong and trusting relationship with a foster carer, it may be the first time in their life they feel safe, loved, and cared for. Maintaining that relationship can be difficult, but when a foster carer is patient, consistent, and kind, and the child begins to trust and flourish, it makes it all worthwhile.” says Karon, Senior Education Psychologist Behaviour.
Trauma awareness and the PACE approach: A guide for foster carers
When a child joins a foster family, understanding their emotional and behavioural patterns can be key to building a supportive relationship. To assist with this, our emotional health team provides “understanding the child” sessions that outline each child’s trauma timeline, offering foster carers insight into the behaviours they may observe and what these behaviours could mean. This understanding helps foster carers to empathise with and respond appropriately to unique experiences.
One core approach we support is PACE: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy. This approach encourages foster carers to build safe, trusting connections with the children or young people in their care by using empathy and openness, enabling them to feel understood and valued in their new homes.
To learn more about PACE, visit DDP Network.
Continuous support for foster carers
Some foster carers may find they need additional support to manage behaviours or further understand the child’s needs. The emotional health team offers time-limited, ongoing therapeutic support that can be tailored to different circumstances. This includes:
- Individual sessions for foster carers: Foster carers may receive one-on-one guidance to help them navigate specific challenges and deepen their understanding of the child’s needs.
- Joint sessions with the child and foster carer: Through a therapeutic method known as theraplay, the emotional health team helps foster carers and children build positive connections. These sessions involve playful, structured activities that guide both foster carers and children through fun, nurturing interactions. This method has been shown to foster a sense of safety, belonging, and connection, helping the child feel secure and valued in their new home.
For more information on theraplay, visit The Theraplay Institute.
Foster with your Local Authority
Our emotional health team supports foster carers in building trust and strong relationships with the children and young people in their care, providing the guidance and tools needed to thrive.
At Foster Wales Carmarthenshire, we’re more than just part of a national network of 22 Welsh local authority fostering services – we’re your local team, dedicated to building brighter futures for children in our community. Get in touch with us today to find out how you can make a real impact by fostering.
Not in Carmarthenshire? No problem! Visit Foster Wales to learn more about fostering in your area and connect with your local team.
