Theme

The PACE parenting approach was developed by Dr Dan Hughes  for parents and carers of children who are adopted or live in foster or kinship care families. PACE stands for Playfullness, Acceptance. Curiosity, and Empathy and is an attitude has proved to be helpful for many professionals working in adoption, fostering or kinship care services. 

The aim of PACE is to allow the child to establish a positive and reciprocal relationship with their parents or carers and to experience relationships as 'safe'. Confidence in using PACE principles in practice will help professionals to develop accepting and empathic relationships with the children and young people they meet; help explain behaviours which are experienced as challenging to their parents and carers and inform advice given to parents, carers, schools and other people involved in the child's care.

This training may be a first introduction to using PACE principles for some, while those more experiences with PACE may attend to refresh and refocus their existing skills.

Learning outcomes

  • To introduce the PACE model and explore why this approach may be helpful in communicating with children and young people who have experienced early traumatic experiences
  • To consider the individual elements of the PACE model and develop an understanding of their importance when communicating with vulnerable children and young people
  • Practice using the PACE model in a safe and playful environment to develop confidence in use of the approach

Who should attend?

This training is aimed at professionals working with adults, child and young people who have experienced adversity and/or trauma and their parent or carers. Parents and carers are very welcome on this training too, although the case studies will focus on how to support families rather than parenting itself. 

See future dates for this course or commission the course for your organisation and we can come to you.