Apps
Course Overview
Many children and adolescents entering out-of-home care have experienced disrupted or insecure attachment as a result of early trauma, neglect, or inconsistent caregiving. These attachment difficulties can present as behaviours that are often misunderstood and labelled as attention-seeking, anxious, aggressive, manipulative, or controlling. Without the right understanding, such behaviours can lead to the use of ineffective responses that reinforce insecurity and hinder the child’s progress.
This interactive workshop equips foster carers, residential care workers, case managers, and support staff with practical knowledge and tools to foster secure, trusting relationships with the children in their care. By deepening understanding of attachment and how it shapes behaviour, participants will learn strategies that help children feel safe, valued, and supported—laying the foundation for resilience, healing, and positive development.
Learning Outcomes
In this practical and interactive workshop, participants will:
- Understand the definition and characteristics of attachment.
- Recognise the differences between secure and insecure attachment.
- Explore the different types of insecure attachment and how these may present in foster care and residential settings.
- Understand the impact of insecure attachment on a child’s social, emotional, and behavioural development.
- Learn practical, relationship-focused strategies for building trust and supporting children with attachment difficulties.
Relevance to Out-of-Home Care Practice
This workshop supports the ongoing professional development of foster carers and out-of-home care staff by providing a clear framework for understanding and responding to attachment-related behaviours. It emphasises relationship-based, trauma-informed practice that strengthens the capacity of carers and services to provide stability and consistency.
Key Links to Practice Growth
- Builds awareness of how attachment challenges affect daily life in care settings.
- Strengthens skills in responding to complex behaviours with empathy and consistency.
- Promotes the creation of safe, nurturing environments that encourage healing and resilience.
- Encourages reflective practice for carers and staff to improve outcomes for children in OOHC.
Outcomes for Care Practice
- Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies they can apply immediately in family homes, foster placements, and residential care settings.
- The workshop builds confidence and skills to respond calmly and effectively to behaviours linked to attachment difficulties.
- Carers and staff will be better equipped to support secure relationships and long-term stability for children in their care.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is suitable for:
- Foster carers and kinship carers
- Residential care workers
- Case managers and support coordinators
- Youth and community workers
- Allied health professionals
- Behaviour Support Practitioners
Delivery Format
The workshop is delivered in an interactive and practical style, blending theory, case studies, and hands-on strategies. Participants will engage in reflection, discussion, and activities designed for direct application in their caring roles.
Workshops can be delivered online or face-to-face, and each session is tailored to the unique needs, priorities, and context of your foster care or out-of-home care service.