Caring for a child who has experienced trauma is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally complex, demanding and sometimes overwhelming. In Monmouthshire, foster carers and kinship carers are not expected to navigate this journey alone. That’s where BASE, a vital therapeutic support service, comes in.
What Does BASE Stand For?
BASE stands for Building Attachments, Security and Emotional Well-being.
This name reflects the core belief at the heart of the service:
when children feel safe, connected and emotionally supported, they can truly begin to heal and thrive.
What Is BASE?
BASE is a Monmouthshire Local Authority Therapeutic Service (in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board) created specifically to support children and young people in care, as well as the network of adults who care for and work with them.
Its purpose is simple but powerful:
Help children heal and thrive.
Strengthen the relationships surrounding them.
Equip carers with the insight and confidence they need.
By offering therapeutic intervention, consultations, and attachment‑informed guidance, BASE works to improve emotional well‑being, stability, and long‑term outcomes for young people.
How BASE Helps Foster Carers Day‑to‑Day
Fostering often comes with moments of uncertainty, big decisions, challenging behaviour, emotional outbursts, or unexpected transitions. BASE provides carers with:
Psychological Consultations
Support through:
- attachment-informed formulations
- personalised guidance
- space to reflect and plan
Placement Planning Support
Helping to create stable, nurturing placements by understanding a child’s attachment and emotional needs.
Tailored Carer Support
Practical, attachment-based advice helping carers understand behaviour and feel confident in their role.
What Makes BASE Different?
BASE supports not only children directly, but the entire network of adults around them. It is rooted in the belief that:
- Children need nurturing, stable relationships and positive experiences to thrive.
- Carers and professionals deserve to feel supported, skilled and confident in their work.
This collective, relationship-focused approach is what sets BASE apart.
Carer Spotlight:
Fostering Experience: 4 years
How Leanne Was Introduced to BASE
Leanne first heard about BASE from her supervising social worker. Wanting to better support the children in her care, she chose to access the service.
Leanne’s Experience With BASE
Leanne has had both online and face‑to‑face meetings, receiving guidance tailored to her and the children she cares for.
Although there was a waiting list for certain kinds of support, advice was available straight away.
Most importantly, Leanne says:
“Yes, I feel heard and listened to.”
Impact on Leanne as a Carer
BASE helped her understand:
- what children may be feeling beneath the surface
- how trauma and emotions can show up through behaviour
- strategies to support emotional regulation
- how to respond therapeutically in moments of distress
Leanne shared:
“I understand a lot more about the children’s feelings and how they keep things in. Their feelings can come out in different ways, and BASE helped me see that.”
Impact on the Child in Her Care
One child is currently attending art/play therapy at BASE. Leanne has already noticed:
- more calmness
- better self‑regulation
- improved emotional well‑being
- an increasing ability to express feelings safely
“BASE has helped the child get their feelings out in a safe space.”
Training & Workshops
Leanne hasn’t yet attended training but is keen to in the future.
Her Advice to Other Foster Carers
Leanne’s message is powerful and reassuring:
“BASE has been really helpful. It has supported both children in my care by direct and indirect support. It has helped me care for them better because I understand more. The BASE team have always been on hand if needed.”
“It won’t harm to talk to BASE and get advice, even if you’re not sure it will help. Services like BASE are so important, they support the whole fostering family with their understanding and techniques.”
The Impact of BASE on Children and Carers
BASE offers:
- therapeutic sessions
- consultations and reflective practice
- professional training
- carer workshops
- network meetings
They draw on Play Therapy, Art Psychotherapy, Dyadic Developmental Practice, Systemic Practice and Theraplay®.
A Real Example of Positive Change
A teenager received long-term play therapy while her carer had regular consultations.
She is now:
- thriving academically
- still in a stable placement
- enjoying work and friendships
BASE has helped many children and carers experience similar stability and growth.
The Positive Changes BASE Sees in Children
When therapy is combined with a safe, nurturing home, children often show:
- increased confidence
- improved regulation
- reduced distress
- stronger relationships
- better engagement in school
- more joy, play and laughter
- renewed trust in safe adults
- hopeful goals for the future
Children begin to shift from surviving to truly living.
How BASE Supports Foster Carers
Carers receive:
- confidential consultations
- therapeutic parenting strategies
- support with challenging behaviour
- guidance for difficult life story questions
BASE helps carers understand behaviour as communication, not defiance.
Training & Workshops
BASE delivers:
- Circle of Security Parenting©
- contributions to Foundations to Foster
- support at foster carer groups
These help carers feel informed, equipped and supported.
Support During Adoption Transitions
BASE provides:
- emotional support for carers
- collaboration with adoption teams
- guidance for adoptive parents up until the adoption order
Therapeutic Approaches at BASE
- Play Therapy
- Art Psychotherapy
- Psychological Therapy (DDP, Systemic Practice, Theraplay®)
Each child receives personalised assessment and intervention.
Looking Ahead
BASE hopes to:
- expand support for young people up to age 25
- continue adapting to new needs
- enhance support for care leavers accessing their notes
- remain a trusted, essential service for carers and children
How Carers Can Access BASE
Carers can speak with their supervising social worker if they would like regular consultations.
Referrals then go to the LAC panel, and once approved, BASE arranges an initial consultation.
