Helping foster carers build confidence in therapeutic parenting.
“We felt lost going around in circles, but now we’ve been given the map we need. We still have to walk the walk, but now we’re going in the right direction”
This group programme, inspired by Kim Golding’s Foundations for Attachment, is designed to help foster carers feel more confident in using therapeutic parenting. Through a mix of group reflection, discussion, and practical activities, carers explore how developmental trauma affects children and how to respond in ways that build trust and connection.
Over six sessions, carers dive into topics like attachment styles, the impact of trauma and shame, and the principles of therapeutic parenting—especially using PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy). There’s also space to reflect on personal experiences, explore barriers to connection, and think about self-care, which is key to sustaining therapeutic relationships.
We were so close to calling time, but now the good far outweighs the bad. If I could recommend anything it would be for people to come and see you guys and do this course.
More about the sessions
Online get-together (optional) - 20th January 2026
We offer a brief meet and greet as an online group for facilitators to introduce themselves, alongside those participating. Offering an opportunity for any questions before sessions start.
Session 1: Understanding the Challenges of Parenting
Time for the facilitators and group members to connect and chat with each other, building relationships.
Session 2: Attachment Styles, Attachment History and Blocked Care
Supports carers’ understanding ofthe survival function of attachment before thinking through the dynamics ofthe main attachment styles in relation to themselves (and their child).
Session 3: Impact of Trauma and Shame
This session will help carers understand the physiological, psychological and social impact of developmental trauma and how to apply this to help make sense of the needs of their children
Session 4: Therapeutic Parenting
Introducing key concepts within therapeutic parenting and allows carers to start thinking about and trying PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) based conversations. Carers are supported to explore the challenges they may experience in using PACE.
Session 5: PACE and Behavioural Support
This session supports carers to deepen their confidence in holding an attitude of PACE.
Session 6: Self Care
Brings the carers back to themselves and how to look after themselves so that they can effectively look after their children.
This course has been amazing. It has given me the confidence and the tools to help me improve myself and the children I look after.