Foster Carer Support and Training

The provision of high-quality Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) is a complex and demanding endeavour, requiring a unique skill set and robust support systems. Jigsaw Psychology & Assessment is committed to enhancing the capacity of foster carers across Australia through the delivery of specialised training programs and individualised clinical support. Our interventions are designed to equip carers with the requisite knowledge and therapeutic skills to navigate the intricate challenges associated with caring for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma and systemic disruption.

Formal Trainings (individual or group)

Reparative Parenting

This training is grounded in attachment and neurodevelopmental theories. It focuses on the intentional cultivation of a secure and corrective relational environment. Participants will explore the principles of attunement and co-regulation, learning how to respond to a child's dysregulated emotional states and behavioural presentations in a manner that fosters healing and the development of secure attachment bonds. The training aims to shift the focus from traditional disciplinary methods to a more empathetic, relationship-based approach. This is a must do for all foster carers, guardians, and adoptive parents.

Trauma: Understanding Trauma and How to Work With It

This training provides a comprehensive overview of the neurobiological impact of developmental and complex trauma. Carers will gain an understanding of how early adversity shapes a child's brain development, emotional regulation, and relational patterns. The training offers practical strategies for creating a safe and predictable environment, and for implementing trauma-informed care principles that mitigate the ongoing effects of past harm. A great training for all carers and people who work in the OOHC system.

Introduction to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

FASD is a significant but often misunderstood condition. This module educates carers on the neuro-differences and often complex behavioural profiles associated with FASD. Participants will learn to identify the characteristic challenges of FASD and develop tailored strategies to support a child's cognitive, emotional, and behavioural needs. The training will differentiate between intentional behaviours and neurologically-based difficulties, promoting a more compassionate and effective caregiving paradigm. This is a great training for carers of children with FASD or who have been exposed to alcohol and other harmful substances in utero.

Cultural Awareness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

This essential training addresses the unique cultural and historical context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC, utilising knowledge from the Social and Emotional Framework (SEWB), amongst others. It provides carers with the knowledge and sensitivity required to support a child's connection to their identity, family, and community. The training covers topics such as cultural safety, the impact of intergenerational trauma, the importance of supporting a child's cultural journey, and importantly, how to do this. While Jigsaw believes almost all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children should remain with family, and if not, culturally appropriate carers, this training can be helpful to carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are from European or other backgrounds.

Behaviour Support for Children and Young People in OOHC

This training moves beyond conventional behaviour management, focusing on understanding the underlying functions of a child's actions. It provides carers with skills in understanding functional behaviours, enabling them to decipher what a child is communicating through their behaviour. The training offers a suite of evidence-based, proactive strategies to address challenging behaviours in a way that promotes positive developmental outcomes and strengthens the carer-child relationship. This may be helpful for carers who are experiencing difficulty managing their child's behaviour.

Individual Clinical Support

We know there are not enough foster carers, and those who are doing this challenging yet rewarding work, often do not receive enough support. In recognition of the profound complexity inherent in foster care, we strongly advocate for the integration of individual support and parent coaching.

Our one-on-one sessions provide a confidential and bespoke space for carers to receive targeted guidance. These sessions are leveraged to deliver specialised psychoeducation, illuminating the specific dynamics of trauma and the OOHC system as they relate to a carer's unique situation.

We facilitate a deeper understanding of a child’s behavioural communications, translating complex presentations into a functional framework that enables carers to respond with empathy and efficacy.

Finally, we collaboratively develop and implement evidence-based, practical strategies that are specifically tailored to promote healing, strengthen the relational bond, and foster positive behavioural change within the care environment.

At Jigsaw Psychology & Assessment, one of our core values is utilising our experience working in the OOHC system to empower foster carers to become agents of therapeutic change, thereby enhancing the long-term well-being and developmental trajectory of the children and young people entrusted to their care. Please contact us for further information or to book a training and/or individual sessions with one of our experienced psychologists.