Foster Carer Training Course: Mind the Gap with Psychotherapist, Christina

Mind the Gap: 10 Week Training Course for Foster Carers

This is a course for a group of up to 12 carers (minimum 6), which runs fortnightly during term time.  The intention is that participants will attend all the sessions.  Spaces are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Sarah saraha@communityfostercare.co.uk to express your interest.

Each session there will be the opportunity to learn and think about a particular topic and to develop skills to respond.  Participants will learn from their fellow foster carers as well as from the course leader.  The content of the course aims to match what the participants are interested in and two sessions are allocated to be on topics chosen by the group.  Examples could be: soiling, sibling relationships, bedtimes, managing electronics, supporting with school, Autistic Spectrum Condition, lying.

This course is a preparation for CFC’s Fostering Curiosity group. 

In this 10 week course, you will have the opportunity to think about your children and young people and:

·       develop your skills in recognising and understanding their needs

·       explore different ways to respond

·       reflect on the impact of their experiences

·       focus on ways to support them to regulate their feelings

·       plan for the challenging times including family time and school difficulties

·       learn more about attachment, trauma and their affects

·       choose specific topics you want to focus on

·       reflect on your hopes and expectations as a foster carer

·       share your experiences and struggles with other foster carers

The course timetable can be found below:

21.9.22 Building Trust

5.10.22 Shame and Belonging

19.10.22 Encouraging Self-Esteem After Trauma

2.11.22 Managing Conflict and Emotional Regulation

16.11.22 A Beginners Guide to Mind-Reading

7.12.22 Supporting Young People to Compromise, Cooperate and Trust in Their Own Abilities

11.1.23 Group Choice

25.1.23 Group Choice

8.2.23 Teenage Years and Preparing for Independence

22.3.23 Endings (Including Leaving Foster Care)