Circle of Security- Supporting foster carers to build safe, secure relationships
Date published
28 January 2026
28 January 2026
At Nexus Fostering, we know that caring for children who have experienced trauma requires more than good intentions, it requires understanding, support, and the right tools. That’s why we offer Circle of Security training to all our foster carers, delivered as a 6-week course by our in-house clinicians.
Circle of Security is a cornerstone of our therapeutic approach. It helps carers understand children’s emotional needs, respond with confidence, and build secure, trusting relationships that allow children and young people to thrive.
The Circle of Security is an attachment-based parenting approach, grounded in decades of research into child development and attachment theory. It supports carers to understand behaviour not as something to be “managed”, but as a form of communication, especially for children who have experienced loss, neglect, or trauma.
At its heart, the Circle of Security recognises that children need two things:
A secure base from which to explore the world
A safe haven to return to for comfort, reassurance, and emotional regulation
Children move around this “circle” constantly. When carers understand where a child is on the circle, and what they are asking for emotionally, they are better equipped to respond in a way that meets that need.
Many children in foster care struggle to express their needs in typical ways. Their behaviour may appear challenging, withdrawn, or confusing, but often, it is their best attempt to communicate something important.
Circle of Security helps carers:
Recognise behaviour as a signal of unmet need
Understand how trauma impacts attachment and emotional regulation
Respond with empathy rather than judgement
Stay curious about what a child is trying to communicate
This approach is non-blaming and non-shaming. It acknowledges both the child’s struggles and the challenges carers face, creating space for reflection, growth, and compassion on both sides.
A key principle of Circle of Security is supporting carers to remain “Bigger, Stronger, Wiser and Kind.”
This doesn’t mean being perfect. It means:
Offering leadership and emotional safety
Staying calm and present during difficult moments
Reflecting rather than reacting
Repairing relationships when things feel hard
Our training encourages carers to reflect on their own attachment style, recognising how their experiences may influence how they respond to children. This reflective space is powerful, helping carers feel more confident, regulated, and supported in their role.
At Nexus Fostering, Circle of Security is delivered as a 6-week course, led by our experienced in-house clinicians. This ensures carers receive consistent, high-quality training that is directly connected to their fostering role.
Throughout the course, carers will:
Learn the Circle of Security framework and language
Explore real-life fostering scenarios
Reflect on their own experiences and responses
Build confidence in offering attuned, therapeutic care
Connect with other carers in a supportive environment
Because our clinicians work closely with both carers and children, the training feels practical, relevant, and rooted in everyday fostering experiences.
Children and young people in foster care often come with complex emotional needs. Many have experienced disrupted attachments, uncertainty, or trauma. Traditional parenting strategies don’t always work and carers can be left feeling unsure, exhausted, or self-critical.
Circle of Security offers:
A shared therapeutic language between carers and professionals
Increased confidence and emotional resilience for carers
Stronger, more secure relationships
Better outcomes for children and young people
Most importantly, it reminds carers that they are not alone and that struggling does not mean failing.
At Nexus Fostering, training is not a tick-box exercise. Circle of Security sits alongside our wider support offer, including supervision, ongoing training, peer support, and 24/7 guidance.
By equipping carers with attachment-based tools and understanding, we help them feel empowered to provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes, even when the journey is challenging.
Because when carers feel supported and secure, children do too.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer or transferring to Nexus Fostering. Find out more about the support we offer by contacting us today here.
Events
28 January 2026
