Clinical Practitioner Isabelle discusses her role within Therapeutic Led Care

The Power of Therapeutic Led Care: A Clinical Practitioner’s Perspective

A Collaborative Approach to Fostering

In the world of fostering, providing a stable and nurturing environment for children who have experienced trauma is paramount. Blue Sky’s Therapeutic Led Care (TLC) Programme is designed to support foster carers in this challenging yet rewarding journey. We recently sat down with Isabelle, our Clinical Practitioner for the West Country, to gain insight into her role and the impact of TLC on both carers and children.

With a background in private psychotherapy, Isabelle was drawn to the TLC Programme for its collaborative and team-oriented approach. “Being a psychotherapist in private practice, although that's great, there isn't a team around, and I think you can feel lonely at times,” she explained. “Joining the team here was just absolutely amazing. There is something I think that's really special, because there’s foster carers and there’s young people, so it comes with different layers.”

Supporting Foster Carers Through Therapeutic Led Care

At the heart of Therapeutic Led Care Clinical Practice is the belief that by supporting foster carers, the young people in their care will also benefit. Isabelle described how her work focuses on providing foster carers with therapeutic tools and reflective practices.

“Caring for a child on the TLC Programme means that the foster carers have the support from a Clinical Practitioner. A Clinical Practitioners does direct work with the foster carer and therefore indirect work with the child,” she said. “By supporting the foster carers with reflective practice and therapeutic practice, it supports the child indirectly.”

“By supporting the foster carers with reflective practice and therapeutic practice, it supports the child indirectly.”

Isabelle highlights one of the TLC approaches, called PACE: “A PACEful approach - being curious, empathic, playful, and accepting - benefits the child as well,” she noted.

The Role of Reflective Practice

A key component of Isabelle’s role is her engagement with foster carers through one-to-one sessions and group support. “I see the foster carers one-on-one one week, and then I see them in a group session the following week, and that's how we alternate on a weekly basis,” she explained. These sessions provide a space for foster carers to reflect on their own responses to a child’s behaviour. “There's also reflective practice in the sense of ‘why am I being triggered as the foster carer? What is happening for me?’ And then we can work around that,” she said. “We also consider what’s happening for the young person: why is this behaviour coming up at the moment? How can I reflect on myself and respond differently rather than react?”

How can I reflect on myself and respond differently rather than react?”

The Impact of TLC on Foster Families

Isabelle is passionate about the positive outcomes of the TLC Programme, particularly the impact on both foster carers and the children and young people they support. “What the foster carers do is amazing - and I’m not saying this flippantly! It’s not easy; it’s challenging, it’s difficult,” she shares. “And yes, it comes with beautiful moments as well. Being able to support the foster carers and the young people to reach their full potential; I think that’s really valuable."

"What the foster carers do is amazing - and I’m not saying this flippantly! It’s not easy; it’s challenging, it’s difficult. And yes, it comes with beautiful moments as well."

The Therapeutic Led Care Programme ensures that foster carers feel heard, supported, and equipped with the right tools to navigate the complexities of fostering. “It’s also for the foster carers to feel held and heard, and have that support as much as they possibly can,” Isabelle concluded.

Through dedicated professionals like Isabelle and the structured support of the TLC Programme, foster carers are empowered to create positive, lasting change in the lives of children in care. The journey is not always easy, but with the right therapeutic approach, it becomes a deeply rewarding experience for all involved.

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