Trauma Informed Training for Foster Carers has equipped caregivers with practical knowledge and strategies to provide more in-tune care to support the needs of children who have experienced trauma.
This training brought together fourteen local Foster Carers, who are frontline support for our local children in Foster Care, and five practitioners representing organisations who support carers across the Gladstone Region, including Nhulundu Health Service, Foundations Care and Anglicare CQ.
Led by Kerri Chard, a leading authority in Child Protection, with lived experience as a foster carer, training encouraged participants to view connection as at the heart of deep, meaningful relationships with children. When trust and connection forms with safe adults, it is much easier to help a child to handle big feelings and learn important skills like self-regulation and behaviour and social competences, for life.
Training provided insights about the impact of a child’s history on their long-term development, exploring how early risk factors change brain development and brain chemistry, and what supports a vulnerable child, needs to feel safe. Participants explored their own relationship histories and how their histories influence what they bring to the caregiving relationship.
Participants reported that they felt confident to use and grow their practice in applying tools and strategies they gained from the training to meet the unique needs of children in their care and were reminded of the importance of bringing fun and playfulness into everyday engagement.
Kerri’s experience, engaging facilitation and ability to make complex concepts relatable and simple to grasp were standout features of the training. Feedback from participants reflected that the training exceeded their expectations. A desire was expressed for more collective learning opportunities and inclusion of others from across the foster care system, to grow in-depth knowledge and practice to best support the development and holistic wellbeing of children in foster and kinship care.
This training was supported through the Sector Capacity Building Initiative, a community partnership with Rio Tinto, Here for Gladstone.
To learn more about the initiative please read Collective Buying Power and Community Partnership Enabling Improved Outcomes for Families and Children, or contact GRT:
P: 07 4970 7382