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Preparation for Trauma-Informed Removal:
Keeping the Child at  the Centre

In an ideal situation, we would have gathered information about the child and their extended family before an out-of-home placement is required. With or without this information, the day of removal has many moving parts and may be chaotic. Keeping the child at the center of the planning will help reduce the traumatic impact of the separation.

Trauma-informed Preparations:What you know, what you need to know and what to bring 

  • Take time to consider the child's wants and needs.​

  • Preplan child's first phone/video contact (same day) and visitation plan (the following day)

  • Have suitcases, a teddy bear, a book about foster care and a flashlight

  • Bring details of the foster home, copy of the foster home profile. 

  • Prepare a list of items that would be important for the child to have to review with the parent at the removal. Depending on the openness of the parent, the list may have to be left for the parent to consider. 

  • Gather important information about the child to provide to the foster parent including:

    • experiences of abuse and trauma

    • reasons for removal, and past moves

    • cultural identity and community

    • language and customs

    • hygiene and personal care

    • morning, daytime and evening routines (bedtime and weekend activities)

    • the child's fears and what comforts them

    • favorite foods/ likes and dislikes

    • details about meal times

    • activities

    • behaviors and habits

    • interests

    • Some of this information may have to be gathered from the parents at the removal

 

Trauma-informed Considerations:  Securing a Placement

Prioritizing family placement

  • Family placement as the rule, rather than exception​

  • Invest time in finding family or a significant other who is willing to provide temporary care

  • Shake the family tree and place the child with family, even when a parent disagrees

  • Work with the parent so they gain an understanding of the benefits of placement with someone known to the child 

  • Prioritize sibling connections, plan for immediate and continued access for siblings if plan is to separate

  • Think outside the box in finding possible family/significant other placements and consider supports needed to make this possible and successful

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​​Considering placement in a foster home​​

  • Think about the composition of the foster home and ensure the child being placed is younger than the youngest child. Foster placements are more successful when the foster family birth order is left intact.​

  • Consider the foster family's preferences and level of expertise before presenting a placement

  • Foster parents are oftentimes presented with children that are not a good match. A poor match may cause a placement breakdown. 

 

Minimizing Trauma:
At the Removal

  • Engage authentically with parents

  • Collaborate with parents to minimize trauma - teach them why they should help their child in the removal process

  • Encourage parental and family involvement

  • Connect parents and foster parents right away. This will help build their relationship, share information and support the child.

  • Involve both parents and extended family in the care of the child.

  • Gather important information from the parent about the child's needs including: personal care and routines, fears and what comforts them, likes and dislikes, foods, meal times, activities, habits, behaviors, and interests 

  • Learn if the child exhibits trauma behaviours, i.e. bedwetting, nightmares?

  • Gather special memorabilia for the child, pictures, items of comfort (e.g. a piece of mom's clothing)

  • Gather the child's belongings such as clothing, toys and comfort items, medical card, medication etc. Ensure belongings are packed in suitcases (not garbage bags)

  • Gather demographic information for family members and  professionals involved in the care of the child and support continued and consistent care

  • Ask if there are family members who are willing to supervise visitation or be involved to support the child through visitation. 

 

Engaging and informing children: A trauma informed approach during investigation and ongoing involvement.  

Getting to know children and building relationships with them from the start is a key aspect of trauma-informed practice. While social workers may hesitate to discuss difficult  conversations about the issues that exist in their home, avoiding these conversations will increase a child's fear, confusion and add distress. When we communicate with children in developmentally appropriate, honest, and compassionate ways we built their trust, honor and respect their lived experiences and help reduce trauma if removal and placement in foster care becomes necessary. 

Trauma-informed investigation and on-going interventions
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