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Strengthening Trauma-informed Therapeutic Practice Approaches in Out-of-home Care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2014

Lynda Manley ,
Ruth Barr  and
Patricia McNamara
Lynda Manley*
Affiliation:
Baptcare Family and Community Services, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia
Ruth Barr
Affiliation:
Baptcare Family and Community Services, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia
Patricia McNamara
Affiliation:
La Trobe University Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Lynda Manley, Baptcare Family and Community Services, 25 Norwood Crescent, Moonee Ponds, Victoria 3039, Australia. E-mail address: lmanley@baptcare.org.au
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Abstract

This paper provides a snapshot of early work undertaken to develop a trauma-informed complex case management and therapeutic practice model for kinship and foster care within a family and community services agency. The approach taken has initially involved supporting case workers and carers and working towards organisational cultural change. The shift in focus described arose from a concern that stability and healing goals were not well supported within the existing programmatic framework and practice approaches. Purposeful integration of theory with practice has been central to the change process. There is a clear rationale that working from a strong evidence base can create better outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care. The paper reflects on work in progress. Action taken to date has educated the workforce around trauma-informed responses, developed clear protocols and a set of practice tools. This has embedded a strong foundation for further development as resources become available.

Keywords

therapeutictraumaout-of-home carekinship carefoster carefamily welfare
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 39 , Issue 4: ATTACHMENT AND TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICE , December 2014 , pp. 216 - 220
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2014 

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