Care Experienced Children
Welcome to Solutions for Kids Life Coaching
The Experiences of Children and Young People Living in Care
Children and young people in care often arrive with histories marked by trauma, loss, abuse, and chronic instability. These early experiences can significantly affect their emotional development, attachment patterns, and capacity to trust adults or systems around them.
Professionals working with this group frequently observe the impact of placement breakdowns, educational disruption, and a revolving door of relationships — all of which can compound feelings of rejection and hinder recovery. For many, safety and consistency have been absent during critical developmental periods.
The mental health needs in this group are pronounced. Research shows that approximately 72% of children in residential care have a diagnosable mental health disorder, compared to just 20% in the general population. Common presentations include complex Developmental Trauma, attachment issues, depression, anxiety, and challenging behaviour often rooted in survival responses.
Yet, with trauma-aware, relational, and consistent support, many young people in care can and do begin to recover. The role of professionals — whether in education, health, social care, or therapy — is critical.
Building trust, providing containment, and offering predictable, nurturing environments can change the trajectory of a young person's life.
These children don't need perfection — they need presence, persistence, and people who are willing to stay when things get hard.
"What it's Like Living in Care"
- Care Experienced Child, age 14
What is Developmental Trauma?
Early and Repeated
Shattering of Connections
Shattering of Connections
Developmental Trauma is the term used to describe the impact of early, repeated trauma and loss which happens within the child’s important relationships, and usually early in life.
Psychiatrist, Professor Bessel Van der Kolk, suggests that early trauma creates an ‘assault’ on the child’s development over time.
Not only do traumatised children develop a range of unhealthy coping strategies which is how they adapted to threat, they also do not develop the essential daily living skills that children need, such as being able to manage impulses, solve problems or learn new information.
Developmental Trauma Close Up : Beacon House
Shattering of Connections
Shattering of Connections
Shattering of Connections
The most traumatic aspects of all disasters involve the shattering of human connections. And this is especially true for children.
Being harmed by the people who are supposed to love you, being abandoned by them, being robbed of the one-to-one relationships that allow you to feel safe and valued and to become humane – these are profoundly destructive experiences.
Because humans are inescapably social beings, the worst catastrophes that can befall us inevitably involve relational loss.
Dr Bruce Perry: The Boy who was raised as a Dog
Impact
Shattering of Connections
Impact
Developmental trauma, caused by early experiences of abuse, neglect, or loss, can significantly affect a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development.
It is especially prevalent among children in care and is linked to difficulties with attachment, emotional regulation, learning, and behaviour.
Children affected by developmental trauma are more likely to experience poor mental health, underachievement in education, and challenges forming healthy relationships.
A trauma-informed approach, providing consistent, compassionate support, is essential to help these young people recover, build resilience, and thrive.
Interventions from Solutions for Kids
For Children and Young People
For Children and Young People
For Children and Young People
Solutions for Kids has a wealth of expereince working creatively with children and young people. We provide a range of options to facilitate meaningful change. These include:
Creative Therapeutic Interventions
Tailored, trauma-aware sessions that meet children where they are, using play, art, storytelling, and relational techniques to build trust and healing.
Resilience and Emotional Regulation Support
Helping children develop healthy coping skills, build self-esteem, and manage emotional challenges more effectively.
For Teams
For Children and Young People
For Children and Young People
A well informed staff team that understandings both the impact of developmental trauma on a child's brain and as a result on their behaviour and presentation is vital to the healthy development of that child. To enable this understanding, Solutions for Kids can provide:
Reflective Practice and Support Sessions
Facilitated spaces for staff to reflect, learn, and recharge, helping teams strengthen their trauma-informed approach and consequently avoid burnout.
Training and Workshops
Bespoke training focused on trauma awareness, relational care, creative engagement techniques, and building emotionally safe environments.
For the Organisation
For Children and Young People
For the Organisation
Working at an organisational level, Solutions for Kids can provide strategic consultation and guidance to senior leaders and Directors and in doing help shape positive change. We do this by:
Consultancy and Service Development
Strategic advice and hands-on support to help organisations embed trauma-aware practices, improve team wellbeing, and deliver outstanding care.
Whole Team Development Programs
Tailored, longer-term support packages to build cohesive, resilient, and compassionate residential care teams.