Understanding Attachment in Children & Carers – Evening (Zoom)

Building Connections That Last a Lifetime

Unlocking the power of attachment theory and therapeutic parenting to transform early trauma into lifelong resilience.

Attachment is one of the most powerful biological and psychological forces shaping human life. From the very first moments of infancy, early relationships literally shape the architecture of the developing brain, building the neural networks that govern stress responses, emotional regulation, and self-worth. When early caregiving is absent, inconsistent, or frightening, a child’s internal working model is disrupted, creating complex relational and behavioural challenges.

This essential professional development course translates neuroscience and attachment theory into actionable, therapeutic caregiving practice. It equips practitioners and carers to understand the true message behind challenging behaviour, repair relationship ruptures, and become powerful agents of developmental healing.

Key Learning Highlights

• Foundations & Neuroscience of Attachment: Explore John Bowlby’s core principles (Proximity Seeking, Safe Haven, Secure Base), Mary Ainsworth’s attachment patterns (secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, disorganised), and how early bonding physically shapes brain architecture.
• Impact of Neglect, Abuse & Trauma: Examine how adverse early experiences create toxic stress, why the "safe haven" becomes a source of fear, and how to identify Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).
• Challenging Behaviour as Adaptation: Reframe controlling behaviour, rejection of care, indiscriminate affection, and hypervigilance as survival adaptations rather than wilful defiance.
• Therapeutic Parenting & The PACE Model: Master Dan Hughes' PACE framework (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) and utilise co-regulation, life story narrative work, and therapeutic play to establish genuine felt safety.
• Adult Attachment & Self-Assessment: Evaluate the four adult attachment styles (secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, fearful-avoidant), explore tools like the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), and prevent "inhibited care".
• Identifying & Preventing "Blocked Care": Understand the neurobiology of caregiver burnout when care is unreciprocated or rejected, recognising warning signs early to restore empathy and protect placement stability.
• Neuroplasticity & "Earned Security": Discover how new, consistent relational experiences rewire the brain at any age, allowing both children and adults to shift towards earned secure attachment.

Why Choose This Course?

Attachment patterns are not destiny. Backed by decades of clinical research and modern neuroscience, this course gives you the reflective tools, self-awareness, and practical strategies needed to break cycles of trauma and build meaningful, lifelong connections.

Who Should Attend: Foster Carers, Prospective Adopters, Supervising Social Workers, Residential Child Care Workers & Managers, and Outreach Practitioners.

Format: This is a live training session through Zoom. It includes taught sections, small group work, work in pairs, and whole group discussions.