Supporting strong, caring foster families

Every child needs a family so we are helping foster parents to find the solutions they need. Our two regular Support Groups are hosted online by a psychotherapist. 144 foster parents and carers were certified this year in our Providing a Secure Base training course. With our journal, training events, and personal support, we are happy to see more children growing up in strong families with healthy relationships.

“Each piece of advice from you and every meeting gives me a ray of hope. I found a way to build a better relationship with my foster son. Thank you.”

The regular online Support Groups made a real difference to parents during the Covid-19 restrictions. We also hosted a number of professional workshops, including a webinar on the topic Distance Learning During Quarantine by Olena Petrushkeyvch.

 “I am so glad the Support Group could meet today. During the lockdown it’s difficult for me and the children to be isolated from other people. Our online communication with other parents and the therapist makes my life in quarantine easier and gives me resources to be a good foster mother.”

The Providing a Secure Base 2-day training in therapeutic care was completed in 7 regions of Ukraine this year, despite the challenges around physical meetings. The participants rated the relevance, applicability and helpfulness of the content at 9.8 out of 10. The content was totally new to 70% of them, even though it includes the essential Attachment Theory.

An online presentation introducing the course was joined by a Presidential Advisor, social services and NGOs from around the country, increasing the demand for next year. They requested that we adapt the course so it is available online. This essential course provides the fundamentals of how to meet children’s needs so they can develop their potential.

“This training charged me with new energy and helped me to better understand my children and how to change their behaviour.”

“We Social Workers are thankful to Care in Action for the interesting Providing a Secure Base training course. We always need to learn new approaches to supporting foster families. This course is very useful as it includes practical exercises, real life examples and personal experiences supported by theory. We wish you success in this honourable mission!”

In the new year we hope to introduce Support Groups in two new regions of Ukraine and give many more carers the training and expert advice they need. Our Parenting in Action expert journal will soon be published, with 6,000 copies distributed to carers across Ukraine. Thank you to all of our supporters who make it possible for us to help families, so that children with a difficult past can have a positive future.