I am very pleased to make this series of short videos available to foster and kinship carers, to assist them manage the impact of the current pandemic on the children and young people in their care, and themselves.

I am aware that all parents and caregivers are currently being deluged with information and advice about child-rearing. It is not my wish to further burden foster and kinship carers with such advice. Rather, I anticipate that foster and kinship carers will find this video series, and the accompanying handbook, reassuring and validating of their endeavours. It is my hope that the videos and handbook, and the content presented, will make life a little easier.

In the first video I briefly introduce the Triple-A Model and how it explains what is happening for children and young people, and ourselves. I go on to introduce the CARE Model, a framework for understanding what a therapeutic care environment looks like.

In the following videos I further explain why CARE is important and how it is able to be enriched by following a straightforward and practical method.

I finish up with a video about a straightforward approach to looking after ourselves that does not require extra time and money and is achievable in this time of restriction and confinement.

I do hope that foster and kinship carers find the videos helpful and practical, and I welcome feedback. To access the videos, simply click on the links below.

I would encourage you to also access the handbook that accompanies the video series. The handbook can be accessed via the “Buy Now” button below and is made available to individual purchasers. If you are a representative of an organisation who would like to access the handbook for the foster and/or kinship carers you service, please contact me to discuss.

Finally, though the video series and handbook are based on the Triple-A Model of Therapeutic Care and the CARE Curriculum, my two programs that have been implemented in general and relative foster care and statutory kinship care in Australia and Ireland, they are not intended to be a substitute for engagement with foster and kinship care support services, and professionals who work with foster and kinship carers. Rather, they are intended as a little extra practical guidance and, as such, I would encourage foster and kinship carers to continue to access existing supports during these difficult times.

Video 1/5: Preserving Placements during a Pandemic – Introduction (9:50)

Video 2/5: Preserving Placements during a Pandemic – Consistency & Accessibility (5:26)

Video 3/5: Preserving Placements during a Pandemic – Responsiveness (9:03)

Video 4/5: Preserving Placements during a Pandemic – Emotional Connectedness (6:09)

Video 5/5: Preserving Placements during a Pandemic – Self-Care (7:08)