How to Establish Routine in a Therapeutic Fostering Setting

The importance of a reliable routine should never be underestimated. This statement is never more relevant or true than when related to a therapeutic foster care environment. As a foster carer in this role, it will be your number one priority. Establish a solid routine, and you have a foundation to move forward with. Here’s how it can be done.

Talk to Your Agency

The branches of foster care agencies that focus on therapeutic care like ISP Fostering will always provide extensive training about this subject. Routine is a core focus and will be represented as such. This is the first place to get inspiration from and can be an ongoing conversation while you are actively caring for a child. Talk to your agency about the best ways to get around common challenges and how to keep moving when things feel stuck.

Focus on Iterations

A good routine is one that lasts all day, but this is a big demand. So, the best place to get things going in the right direction is to focus on iterations instead. Begin your planning with smaller sections and channel thoughts into three big parts.

The Morning

Morning routines will vary depending on the age of your child and whether they are expected to attend an educational setting such as a school. If your young person is old enough to be in school, then the main focus here should be on how you will get them out of the door. Start from the very beginning and make a plan for how you will wake them up. Remember, the very start of the day is the most important bit and can set someone up for failure or success. Channel nurture and empathy into everything you do.

The Afternoon

The afternoon is often a dead space because children are tired after a long day of thinking hard at school, or from the enrichment time you’ve spent together. Make sure your meals are planned in advance so that they are ready to go and don’t try to do too much. Set up a craft activity or their favorite film and be available for whatever they need.

The Bedtime

Children thrive from a solid bedtime schedule. This should be a main focus too, and it is important to work with the child to figure out what’s best for them. Remember, sleep is often a challenge, but it is never insurmountable.

Be Around and Have Boundaries

The easiest way to set a routine is to be around and promote your boundaries. It is useful to talk through household expectations, steering away from forceful language like ‘rules’. The approach must always be one that includes people, as opposed to leaving them feeling on the outside. Routine comes when everyone is on board, and the best way to do this is to be present and consistent.

Establishing a routine is essential for therapeutic foster care. These are the things that will make the environment one that is filled with reliable consistency and nurture across the board.