TACT’s dedicated Health Service have commissioned specialist therapeutic support ‘clinics’ for their foster carers in the West Midlands, via their Health Framework Contract model – with a view to possibly extending the support to other regions.

The consultation clinics, led by Vicki McKeown from VLM Therapy, were commissioned to provide TACT’s foster carers with a space where they could bring the children and young people they provide care for, to think through any difficulties or worries they might be experiencing with a therapist trained in attachment and trauma-informed practice.

The aim of the clinics is to help carers feel more confident and less alone when faced with challenging or confusing behaviour, while strengthening the carer and child relationship. Understanding a child’s attachment pattern gives carers a lens for seeing behaviour as communication which changes how they respond, and changes what the child experiences as safe.

Before the clinics, Vicki is provided with information in advance about a child’s history, their current relationship dynamics with their birth family and carers, and their day-to-day behaviours and presenting difficulties. Together with the carer, they then use the clinic to understand these behaviours from an attachment and trauma perspective, drawing on theory while looking at how it applies in real life to that particular child. They talk through any specific difficulties or triggering situations and explore strategies and tools that the carer can use to respond. The aim is to upskill the carer so they leave with a deeper understanding and practical ways of supporting the child going forward.

Mechelle Holley, TACT’s Health Commissioning & Performance Manager, said: “Setting up the clinics has been a real collaborative piece of work. I really enjoyed supporting the team to reflect on the different options available through the framework, and facilitating access to providers who I feel confident can take the vision and work with the team to create a finished service that truly focuses on outcomes for children and young people.

“I’ve really seen the benefits of creating space for honest conversations about what children and young people need. The framework has helped bring together a committed area team and a provider who share similar values, enabling them to build a positive working relationship and shape a model of support that feels both responsive and sustainable. It’s been great to see that partnership develop with a genuine focus on ensuring children and young people can access the right support at the right time and have their needs understood and met. I’m really excited to see how things continue to develop as those relationships strengthen and the team and Vicki continue to learn from one another and grow the offer together.”

From a commissioning perspective, using the Health Framework Contract to deliver these interventions enables TACT to secure a high-quality, cost-effective service that supports positive outcomes for children and young people and strengthens placement stability.

The feedback from carers so far has been positive, illustrating just how useful the clinics have been. One carer shared: “I gained clear guidance on building a secure attachment, along with many additional tips and insights I didn’t even realise I needed. I left feeling far more confident and equipped in my role as a foster carer.”

Clinics are currently running bi-monthly across the West Midlands, and other areas within TACT are also exploring whether this is something that would work for their region.