Trauma-Informed Care in the Childcare and Family Placement Process

From Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond (ICB) 

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is critical in institutional settings to address not only the trauma of experiences that lead children to be enrolled into alternative care, such as childcare institutions (CCIs), but also the inherent trauma that comes from a child being separated from her or his family.

This article looks at how Miracle Foundation applies principles of TIC at every stage: from intake and care at a CCI while awaiting placement, preparing children and families for transition, and finally to supporting post-placement. Miracle Foundation has developed a robust mental health programme that commits to promoting the mental health and well-being of children by encouraging self-awareness, building life skills, and developing coping strategies, thus preparing them to achieve their full potential. Miracle’s mental health team ensures that CCIs, children, families, communities, and governments are aware of the importance of mental health and have access to appropriate resources, such as regular counselling and professional services.

Training and support take place with children, their families, CCI social workers, house-parents, government officials, and other NGOs. By strengthening the capacity of these stakeholders in understanding and coping with trauma, we work towards breaking the stigma around mental health in India and the cycle of re-traumatisation in the childcare system for a systemic change. Engagement with the government through workshops and a ‘train-the-trainer model’ on Miracle’s methodology increases our impact for more trauma-informed and child-focused care, to reach thousands of families.

Evidence indicates that early separation from parents is a risk factor for developing a chronic response to traumatic stressors, meaning that an individual would be less able to positively cope with negative stressors that come up in their life.

National and local governments around the world have started putting pressure on CCIs to rehabilitate children out of institutions. To avoid sacrificing quality for urgency and re-traumatising children, Miracle ensures that the appropriate time is taken to conduct child-focused decision-making to fully understand what placement option suits the best interest of the child. TIC works towards improving children’s cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being by ensuring quality care while they are in an institution, and more successful placements (regardless of the type) when they leave. Miracle’s mental health programme and overall methodology continue to develop as we focus our efforts on placing children into more family-based care options.

Article details

Trauma-Informed Care in the Childcare and Family Placement Process: Miracle Foundation’s Approach Within Alternative Care in India
Audria Choudhury
First Published April 4, 2020 Research Article
DOI: 10.1177/2349300319894446
From Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond (ICB)