Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA)
Therapeutic Fostering Assessment (TFA), developed by Sarah Naish at The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma, is a pioneering approach designed to streamline the fostering assessment process. This innovative assessment integrates all necessary training, including the Training Support & Development (TSD) and All Wales Induction Framework (AWIF) requirements, ensuring that applicants are well-prepared for the fostering role.
The TFA also offers a Level 2 Award in Therapeutic Fostering (TFQ), accredited by NCFE CACHE, providing foster parents with a nationally recognised qualification. This qualification equips them with the skills needed to support children who have experienced trauma, making the assessment process more efficient and effective.
Additionally, the program includes Trauma-Informed Panel Training to better support fostering panels in understanding trauma-informed approaches, enhancing their ability to identify suitable foster parents. The TFA has been successfully piloted and is now being implemented widely, with one agency recently receiving an Ofsted Outstanding rating.
The TFA supports Fostering teams by providing:
-
Integrated Training: Combines TSD and AWIF requirements, ensuring comprehensive preparation for foster parents.
-
Level 2 Award in Therapeutic Fostering: Accredited by NCFE CACHE, this qualification is nationally recognised and focuses on trauma-informed care.
-
Trauma-Informed Panel Training: Enhances the ability of fostering panels to identify suitable foster parents through a trauma-informed lens.
-
Successful Implementation: The TFA has been piloted successfully and is now widely adopted, with positive feedback from agencies and foster parents.
-
Support System: Learners receive support from program tutors and peer support through an online forum.
-
Qualification Benefits: The course aims to provide individuals with knowledge about childhood trauma, recognising its signs and symptoms, and how to support a child who is coming to live with them.
-
Progression Routes: Upon completion, learners can progress to higher qualifications such as the Level 3 Award in Therapeutic Parenting or the Level 3 Diploma in Therapeutic Parent Coaching.
