The Secure Base model provides a positive framework for therapeutic caregiving which helps infants, children and young people to move towards greater security and builds resilience. The model focuses on the interactions that occur between caregivers and children on a day to day, minute by minute basis within the caregiving environment. But it also considers how those relationships can enable the child to develop competence in the outside world of school, peer group and community.

This workshop explores the Secure Base Model and its implementation in a childcare environment.

Learning outcomes

• To understand the importance of the secure base in a child’s development
• To explore this as a positive framework for therapeutic care giving
• Assist children and young people towards a greater security and resilience
• Highlight and draw upon positive care giving already within the family
• Understand and use interactions between care givers and child to build relationships
• Understand and focus practice in the 5 dimensions of secure base care giving
• Recognise the developmental benefits for children and young people