Secondary Trauma Training

Foster Care Training

In foster care, there is a close connection between a child and the foster carer. This relationship can expose the foster carer to the distress and pain experienced by the foster child. Although the relationship is strengthened through empathy and a desire to alleviate the emotional pain. For this reason, living and caring for children and young people who have experienced trauma, neglect, and abuse can impact negatively on foster carers. Therefore, having an awareness of the risks of secondary trauma to foster carers is an essential part of foster care training.

There are various types of traumas that a foster carer can experience through close contact. Firstly,  Secondary Trauma can occur when foster parents over-empathise with children in care, in turn internalising their trauma. This can cause emotional distress and trauma symptoms for the foster carer. Secondly, Burnout is the emotional consequence of professionals working with other people’s problems. It is a form of emotional exhaustion that can get worse if ignored. Finally, compassion fatigue is a combination of burnout and secondary trauma where parents are emotionally exhausted while empathising with a child’s trauma. These problems are becoming increasingly evident within foster carers.

This course will give participants an understanding of the different forms of secondary trauma that they may experience. It will cover the physical signs that one is experiencing such trauma as well as the emotional and cognitive impact of it on foster carers. For instance, by identifying the signs and symptoms of secondary trauma, participants are well-equipped to understand situations in which they are experiencing the negative impacts of the trauma. The fact that the symptoms will get progressively worse if left untreated underscores the importance of the training, and recognising secondary trauma is the first step to treating and recovering from it. The course will also highlight contributory factors towards secondary trauma.

Overall, this training equips participants with the necessary skills to safeguard themselves and implement preventive measures that support the well-being of children in care, without internalizing their trauma. Our experienced trainers will guide participants through case studies while offering practical insights through group work exercises. This 1 day course meets the requirements of the Foster Care Training, Support and Development Standards:

  • Standard 1: 1.(1,2,3,4)
  • Standard 2:2.(1,2,3,4,6)
  • Standard 3: 3.(1,3,4,5)
  • Standard 4: 4.(1,2,3,4,5)
  • Standard 5: 5.(1,2,3,6,7,8)
  • Standard 6: 6.(1,2,3,4,5)
  • Standard 7: 7.(1,3,4)