Approaching the subject of moving to a new family is always a difficult one, so often the children moving into a new family are not given the chance to understand why or what it means to be moving on, to be living with a new family when they already have one. Asking a child to leave their foster carers who they may have lived with for a long time when they have repeatedly told them they are part of their family too is just as confusing.

Many children who need this type of preparation, find it difficult to have the conversations with their carers or social workers as they have a lot of history and experience with them. Being an outsider and becoming a trusted person to the child can take the stress off.

We can help support the child to begin to start understanding these questions that they may have. Working with therapeutic tools and techniques, I can begin these conversations early on to begin the preparation for moving to a new home. Children need time and space to be able to process their feelings, beginning the conversations in plenty of time before making that life changing move can not only benefit their mental well-being but also help them settle into their new home and family quicker and easier.