When you hear the word “fostering,” you might think of a safe home and a spare room. At Five Rivers Fostering Ireland, we know that for a child who has had a difficult start, “safety” can feel unfamiliar. This is why our approach is rooted in Trauma, Attachment and DDP Training.

If you have been sitting on the fence because you are worried about challenging behaviour, understanding our clinical framework can help you see the child behind the “label.”

What is DDP? (And Why It Matters for You)

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is an overarching relational framework that brings together the latest knowledge on developmental trauma, attachment, and neurobiology.

Children in foster care have often faced many changes in caregivers, making it hard for them to trust adults. They may develop insecure attachments as a way to protect themselves. DDP helps us understand that “naughty” or “disruptive” behaviours are often adaptive behaviours. This is a child’s way of surviving when they feel they cannot turn to an adult for help.

The Power of PACEful Parenting

In line with current research by Golding (2019) and Staines, Golding and Selwyn (2019), we are pursuing full DDP organisational certification with the DDP Institute. This means therapeutic principles are woven into our day-to-day care.

The heart of this is PACE, a therapeutic model that transforms day-to-day parenting through:

  • Playfulness: Using a light-hearted touch to lower a child’s defences.
  • Acceptance: Validating the child’s inner feelings without judging the behaviour.
  • Curiosity: Wondering aloud about the child’s inner world instead of simply disciplining.
  • Empathy: Showing the child you are there to feel their big emotions with them.

Parenting with PACE helps you stay calm and emotionally regulated, making the world feel like a safer place for a troubled child.

Real Voices: How DDP Training Empowers Our Carers

At Five Rivers Fostering Ireland, we know that theory is only useful if it works in a real home. Here is how our Trauma and Attachment training has helped our fostering community:

Validation Through Peer Connection

“It was the only time I was in a room with other carers, and I felt understood.” — Saoirse

“The support of the other participants… knowing I’m not on my own… was a lovely confidence boost.” — Aisling

Overcoming Initial Apprehension

I suppose, breaking through the fear… fear that we might mismanage it and create a worse

situation. [ but as the training went on] It made us more confident. I think it’s definitely made us more confident in dealing with kids that come in and … We also push ourselves a little bit extra … and we think, okay, we can deal with this, we can manage this.” — Laoise

Learning to Slow Down

“Pausing and taking a breath … not getting into the elevator. You know when your child starts getting heightened and then you get heightened, [remembering to model calm rather than responding reactively]” — Saoirse

New Understanding of Trauma

“If we’re having a family function or BBQ, she would become very withdrawn and wouldn’t engage or interact. At the time we just thought that she was spoiled, or we thought the child was thinking that, since no one was paying attention to them, she would just ignore us. But then we realized that she suffered a trauma at family events before… just waiting for the fight to happen. So, the training helped us to understand why she was behaving as she’s behaving and then how we could support her. Now she loves family functions because we give her space, we put in boundaries for her. We know if she doesn’t feel comfortable, there’s nothing wrong going into your room and coming back over again. And it was the training that helped us to do all that and to realize what was happening and … how to deal with it”. — John

Listen to foster carer Eleanor who shared her experience of the training: https://vimeo.com/1129935744?fl=tl&fe=ec

Our Commitment to Training

As a Social Enterprise , Five Rivers Fostering reinvests in your growth. We provide the DDP Informed Trauma and Attachment training  you need to feel confident.

Our training pathway includes:

  • Introduction to Trauma and Attachment in Fostering: A foundational session offered to all carers and staff.
  • Fostering Attachments with the Traumatised Child: A 10-session, in-depth programme offered in-person to carers throughout the country.
  • Specialist DDP Levels 1 and 2: Professional DDPI-approved training for our staff so the support you receive is always grounded in evidence-based practice.

The Integration of DDP Informed Practice

Integrating PACEful parenting and DDP is a key priority for Five Rivers Fostering, Ireland. We believe this framework provides children with the best opportunity to develop quality, connected relationships while supporting you in your crucial role as a carer.

The national shortfall of foster carers is significant, but the solution starts with one person choosing to look past the “naughty” label and see the potential.

Ready to learn more? If you have a spare room and the heart to provide a therapeutic home, let’s have a no-pressure chat about how our training can support you.

Contact Five Rivers Fostering Ireland Today