Trauma-informed care psychoeducational group-based interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents: A narrative review

Trauma-informed care (TIC) psychoeducational group-based interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents are growing, but evidence about their effects have not been integrated. A narrative review was undertaken of studies that evaluated the effects of these interventions. It found that they appear to increase carers’ capacity to provide children with TIC and reduce child trauma-related difficulties. Three core components – psychoeducation, reflective engagement and skills building – were identified as helping to explain how the interventions work. However, the evidence is weak due to the mixed findings, diverse research designs, varied measures and methodological deficiencies, so results should be interpreted with caution. This highlights the urgent need for more rigorous research. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed.

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Trauma-Informed Care in the Massachusetts Child Trauma Project

Child Maltreatment ◽

10.1177/1077559515615700 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 101-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Jessica Dym Bartlett ◽

Beth Barto ◽

Jessica L. Griffin ◽

Jenifer Goldman Fraser ◽

Hilary Hodgdon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Child Trauma ◽

Trauma Informed Care ◽

Trauma Informed

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Supporting Face-to-Face Birth Family Contact after Adoption from Care: Learning for Trauma-Sensitive Practice

The British Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1093/bjsw/bcaa121 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mandi MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Adult Child ◽

Well Being ◽

Adoptive Parents ◽

Face To Face ◽

Trauma Informed Care ◽

Trauma Informed ◽

Emotional Safety ◽

Birth Family ◽

Family Contact ◽

And Control

Abstract There are recent calls to consider face-to-face birth family contact for more children adopted from care. Given that the threshold for this authoritative intervention is significant harm, post-adoption contact should be sensitive to the possible impact of early childhood trauma, and be adequately supported. This article draws on adopters’ reports of face-to-face contact with birth relatives, and their evaluation of social work support to suggest an approach to practice informed by principles of trauma-informed care. Twenty-six adoptive parents participated in focus groups, and seventy-three completed a web-based questionnaire, all from Northern Ireland where face-to-face post-adoption contact is expected. Findings are structured thematically around principles of trauma-informed care: trusting relationships; physical and emotional safety; choice and control; and narrative coherence. Most families had a social worker attending contact, and help with practical arrangements. Less common but important practices included: deliberate consideration of children’s perspectives; safeguarding their emotional well-being; and facilitating communication outside of visits. Findings suggest that visits are a context in which trauma-effects may surface, and social workers supporting contact should be sensitive to this possibility. This article suggests a systemic approach to helping all parties prepare for, manage and de-brief after contact, attending to both adult-to-adult and adult–child interactions.

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