Developing a Therapeutic Treatment Programme for Traumatised Children and Young People

"I have had the privilege of working with Christine Bradley to successfully integrate the Needs Led Assessment Programme into supporting children in our care. This framework has deepened our insight and understanding of unmet needs and destructive behaviours and equipped us with the necessary tools to reach their inner world and guide them on a therapeutic journey towards self-discovery and healing. This manual and the previous book provide an essential guide to policy makers, service providers and practitioners who are dedicated to making a lasting difference to the lives of children who have endured trauma and adversity."

Amanda Knowles MBE, Services to residential childcare, director Mulberry Care and Future Horizons Support Services (for care leavers)

"Christine started her career at the Cotswold Community, a pioneering therapeutic community home for children profoundly affected by early trauma, working alongside Barbara Dockar Drydale who built on the pioneering work of Donald Winnicott. Christine’s work on Needs Led Assessment and Treatment Plans stems from those early days, and whilst maintaining the underlying philosophy, has evolved into a manual to be used by staff and carers who wish to work therapeutically with children and young people whose early life experiences have been significantly affected by trauma."

Mark Thomas, head of service, ALL4U Fostering

"As CEO of The Caldecott Foundation, I was thrilled to have Christine work alongside our managers and carers developing Needs Led Assessments and Therapeutic Treatment Programmes for children and young people who have experienced profound trauma. Her guidance has helped the team to respond, not react to behaviours presented. In-depth mentalisation, discussion and reflective practice has enabled them to understand that this is a journey, not a quick fix, and has provided hope for children and adults working alongside them in therapeutic care. This manual offers invaluable insight into the impact of childhood trauma and shows how we can reach the inner child."

Nick Barnett, CEO The Caldicott Foundation

"The authors provide a ‘back to the source’ book for workers and carers working directly with profoundly traumatised children and young people. They communicate the tools for thinking and planning for today’s practitioners to use in the service of children’s recovery from trauma. This manual is for all those who consider children’s needs are becoming more challenging, providing essential experienced based-practice reaching back to the foundation of psychosocial Residential Therapeutic Child Care. The results of their collective creative responses are here, refined treasures from a continuing tradition. This really works!"

Jonathan Stanley, principal partner, National Centre of Excellence for Residential Child Care (NCERCC)