Sally Denning

Senior Specialist, Therapeutic Care

Sally is a Senior Specialist at CETC and works on the development of practice guides, tools, and resources to support capacity building of foster carers, kinship carers and professionals within the Therapeutic Care sector. Sally has lived experience in working in Therapeutic Care at the Australian Childhood Foundation for over 12 years, with a primary focus on supporting foster carers, children and families with strategies and tools to build and strengthen care relationships, support trauma healing and resource resilience. Additionally, Sally has a background in Organisational Development and a particular interest in the importance of a systemic view to support Quality Therapeutic Practice. She assisted the Foundation with the development of therapeutic care systems and processes that resulted in the Australian Childhood Foundation, receiving certification with the ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Standard. Sally has a PhD and Masters in Education (Dance Therapy), and a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma and is registered in dance-movement therapy, counselling and play therapy practices. In her doctoral research, Sally explored the relationship between pedagogy and therapeutic practice, and how pedagogy has the potential to shape therapeutic practice. She has written extensively on capacity building processes including competency development, RPL and therapeutic practice, and is a strong advocate for the healing space offered within positive, healthy relationships and is committed to the development of quality systems, resources, training and tools to support this goal. Living on Dja Dja Wurrung lands in the regional Victorian town of Castlemaine, Sally when not working, can be found exploring the nearby bushlands or having a coffee and dancing with friends.

Articles written by

Sally Denning

Thirteen coping strategies that caregivers can use to support young people through their grief process
Thirteen coping strategies that caregivers can use to support young people through their grief process
Being in out-of-home care (OOHC) often means loss: loss of parents, siblings, extended family, pets, home, school, and friends. Grief is a normal and healthy...
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The Caregiver’s healing gift- a mindful presence
The Caregiver’s healing gift- a mindful presence
For children and young people that have experienced trauma abuse and neglect, the presence of positive, safe, and attuned relationships can be significant in supporting...
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