Enhanced Fostering

Enhanced Fostering, often called Therapeutic Fostering, is the type of care needed for children that have experienced a high degree of trauma and/or abuse in their life. This trauma is sometime compounded by the fact that these have been through several failed placements. As well as developmental difficulties and attachment disorders, this trauma often manifests itself through a variety of mental health problems. Giving care to our most troubled young people is an extremely challenging job, which is why there is an increasing demand for foster carers to undertake the additional training necessary to become Therapeutic/Enhanced Foster Carers.

Our ARC model shows how children’s behaviour is a reflection or a symptom of deeper traumatic experiences that requires understanding and applying a treatment plan that can be used throughout the relationship between a foster carer and child/young person. ARC model gives carers all the knowledge and skills needed to support the children in their care.

The ARC framework is a collection of tools that boost the foster parents’ strengths, skills and awareness to understand how trauma can affect the day-to-day experiences of a child and how traumatised children have different and/or greater needs than their peers. ARC is grounded in the theory and research, in particular covering trauma, attachment, child development and resilience.

ARC is currently in use in over 300 childcare settings in the US and around the world. The growing research suggests that ARC leads to a reduction in child post-traumatic stress symptoms and a general improvement in mental health as well as an increase in resilience and social skills.

Foster carers report a reduction in distress and also a higher rate of permanency in foster care as a result of using the ARC model.

• Our Enhanced fostering service is for the most troubled and traumatised children and young people.
• We provide an intensive level of support, supervision and training through using the power of psychology.
• We have invested heavily in the ARC model of Enhanced parenting to ensure our children and young people receive the very best possible care.
• ARC is a trauma awareness programme for foster parents caring for children aged three to seventeen who present with significant and psychological issues.
• We are currently developing existing carers and recruiting new carers for our Enhanced fostering service and welcome your interest to progress this.

To become an enhanced foster carer or if you need more details, please give us a call on 02087990930 or complete the enquiry form.