The Ripple Effect
Our Rationale:
The Ripple Effect Cluster was developed in response to a critical shortage of foster homes, which has led to frequent moves for children in care. These transitions create instability and stress for children and increase vicarious trauma exposure for practitioners.
Our aim:
To create a concrete resource that highlights, recognises, and addresses the needs of children and
Key Outputs:
- Highlight current challenges when children experience multiple moves in care.
- Recognise the lived experience of children and workers during waiting and moving periods.
- Create resources to support colleagues in making sense of these experiences, developing practice skills, and building resilience.
- Make recommendations for future work.
Key Outputs:
- 6 animated videos illustrating lived experiences.
- Accompanying learning resource for reflection and discussion.
- Comfort packs for children during transitions.
- Improved spaces within buildings used by young people.
Recommendations for using the The Ripple Effect Initiative:
- Expand Comfort Packs to include sensory and grounding tools for trauma regulation.
- Develop training modules for foster carers on trauma-informed transitions.
- Create a feedback loop with children and practitioners to refine resources.
- Embed reflective practice sessions using The Ripple Effect videos in team meetings.
- Research the impact of The Ripple Effect on reducing placement breakdowns and practitioner burnout.
Resources
Links to the videos developed as part of the project:
- Video 1: Ripple Cluster Initiative: What we want to change
- Video 2: Ripples of Waiting: The Experience of Children and Workers waiting for a new foster home.
- Video 3: Ripples of Change: Practice changes with transitional spaces
- Video 4: Ripples of Moving
- Video 5: Ripples of Arriving: A child’s and worker’s experience of arriving to an emergency foster home.
- Video 6: Ripples of Change: Reflections on changes of practice
TARA Project_The Ripple Effect_Transitions in care