Therapeutic Care Blog
The CETC blog tells the stories behind 'what works' in Intensive Therapeutic Care
The role of praise in working with young people
Traumatised children tend to receive little praise, and therefore, don’t respond well to praise. We can see each of our daily interactions with each of the young people we care for as bids for connection. By choosing to turn toward, to turn away, or turn against each other’s bid for connection and opportunity for change. …
Read MoreWhat is cultural safety?
“Our own culture is like water to fish. We live and breathe through it’ (Alf Bamblett, quoted in Krakouer, J., Wise, S., & Connolly, M 2018) Cultural Safety is used by organisations alongside Cultural Competency and Cultural Responsiveness to demonstrate their commitment to work and provide services which are welcoming and respectful of another …
Read MoreUnderstanding and Supporting Young People Who Self-Harm in Residential Care
Some of the young people we care for in the ITC programs deal with emotional distress and pain by hurting themselves physically. Young people hurting themselves is distressing to them and to those who care for them. ITC staff may experience a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, helplessness, guilt, shame or disgust. In response …
Read MoreWhat does voice and choice mean in Intensive Therapeutic Care?
Voice and choice can be an extremely difficult concept in Intensive Therapeutic Care to get right. We know participation is a right, not a privilege, and we also know young people have tremendous capacity to heal and thrive in the context of warm, attuned, responsive and safe relationships. Equally being heard can enhance young people’s self-esteem …
Read MoreThe Intensive Therapeutic Care Dance
Therapeutic residential work can be conceptualised as a dance. It works best when therapeutic workers display therapeutic presence, are in sync with the young person, can making meaning of the young person’s behaviour and responses and work in a climate that supports therapeutic care. At its best, therapeutic residential work is a process of synchronised …
Read MoreThe Role of Supervision in the Trauma-Informed Journey
The intention of trauma-informed practice and care is an increased understanding of how present behaviours and difficulties can be understood in the context of past trauma. The approach offers a framework for a common set of values, knowledge and language. Trauma-informed care (TIC) can also be applied to understanding and protecting the workforce from secondary …
Read MoreTahlia’s Story: Having a Voice in Out-of-Home Care
Tahlia is a 16-year-old young woman who likes to be in complete control of her world at all times. She is as strong, articulate and as sassy as they come. Tahlia is an incredible advocate not only for herself but for all young people in care. She can recite the Charter of Rights and is …
Read MoreMaking Sense of Complex and Challenging Behaviours
An inability to understand trauma-based behaviours often sees young people ‘labelled’ in ways that can create a ‘spiral of negativity’. A trauma-informed approach orients us to be curious about what is going on for the young person rather than seeing their behaviour as separate from what has happened to them. This is one of the …
Read MoreIsaac’s Story: Having a Voice in Out of Home Care
Isaac is 15 years old, about 6ft tall, and you know when he is in the room. Isaac lives in his house with one other young person. Isaac experiences the world differently than others. This is because Isaac has Autism and a Moderate Intellectual Disability. Due to this, Isaac asks his team to be patient …
Read MoreMyth Busting Child Sexual Exploitation
When it comes to the sexual exploitation of children, most Australians tend to view it as a problem that exists somewhere else. However, those of us working in Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) know that this not the case. The sexual exploitation of young people in Out of Home Care (OOHC) is an issue of significant …
Read More