Why do we need more therapeutic foster carers?

Why do we need more therapeutic foster carers?

Children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or multiple placement breakdowns often need more than just a safe home, they need consistent, trauma-informed care to help them heal and thrive.

Therapeutic foster carers play a critical role in this. But there’s a shortage of foster carers with the skills and training to offer this kind of care. That means some children may not get the specialist support they need or may be placed far from home, which can further disrupt their development.

Key responsibilities of a therapeutic foster carer

Provide emotional and psychological support

Therapeutic carers help children work through their trauma by offering a safe, consistent, and nurturing environment. They understand that behaviours often stem from pain, not defiance.

Build trusting relationships

Many children in therapeutic placements have difficulty trusting adults. Carers focus on building secure attachments through patience, empathy, and consistency.

Work closely with professionals

Carers are part of a wider support team, including social workers, psychologists, and therapists. They attend regular meetings, training, and therapy reviews to ensure a child’s care plan is being followed.

Respond to challenging behaviour

Carers are trained to manage and de-escalate challenging behaviours that may be linked to trauma, anxiety, or fear. They use reflective, calm approaches and avoid punishment-based responses.

Support development and stability

By creating structure and routine, carers help children settle, develop emotional regulation skills, improve their education outcomes, and build resilience.

Keep detailed records

Therapeutic foster carers keep daily logs of the child’s behaviour, progress, and needs, which supports professionals in adapting care strategies.

Why Nexus Fostering?

Nexus Fostering is not just any fostering agency; we’ve built our reputation on putting children’s needs at the heart of everything we do, with our supported fostering services, Care+ and Nexus 360. Children in therapeutic placements are often at high risk of placement breakdown, which can further harm their mental health. Therapeutic foster carers help break the cycle by offering long-term, healing-focused care. Here’s why skilled therapeutic carers choose Nexus Fostering:

Specialist support and training

We offer high-quality, ongoing therapeutic training, whether you’re just starting or have years of experience. You’ll be fully equipped to understand trauma, attachment needs, and behaviour.

Dedicated supervising social workers

Our carers have access to small caseload supervising social workers, ensuring personalised, regular support. You’ll never feel like you’re “just a number.”

Round the clock support

Caring for children with complex needs isn’t 9–5, so our 24/7 support is always there when you need it, even in the middle of the night.

Community and clinical support

You’ll be part of a team, not just an individual carer. With peer support groups, therapeutic input from clinical professionals, and a family feel, we’re with you every step of the way.

Generous allowance

We value our carers. Our financial package reflects the level of skill, commitment, and time therapeutic fostering requires.

If you’ve got the patience, resilience, and desire to make a real difference in a child’s life and want the support, training, and team to back you all the way, Nexus Fostering is the agency to choose. Start your fostering journey today here.