'FASD Informed Training' Residential Home – Stage 4 Specialist Training for Children’s Homes & Young People’s Residential Settings
- somersetmiracles
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
The FASD Informed Residential Home Stage 4 Programme is a specialist training pathway designed specifically for children’s homes and young people’s residential services supporting individuals with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
The programme equips residential teams to understand the neurodevelopmental impact of prenatal alcohol exposure and to deliver support that is developmentally appropriate, focussed on safeguarding severe complex needs, FASD-informed, and regulation-focused.
The 4 stages are designed to not overwhelm your already hard working team, tailored around your rota, your time. The course allows a safe space for staff reflection, thought-provoking and open communication whilst being provided with the knowledge and expertise of the qualified trainer.
The strategies provided within the training will be customised to develop with your staff and tailored for the individual needs of the child or young person you care for.
Who Is This Training For?
This programme is designed for whole-home training, including:
· Registered Managers & Deputy Managers
· Residential Support Workers
· Key Workers & Shift Leaders
· Therapeutic Staff & Clinical Leads
· Education Staff working within residential settings
· Safeguarding Leads and Senior Leadership Teams
Section 181 of the Health and Care Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) introduces a requirement into the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the 2008 Act) and regulation 18 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (the 2014 Regulations) that, from 1 July 2022, service providers registered with CQC must ensure their staff receive training appropriate to their role. The NICE Quality Standards for FASD & SIGN 156 echo this requirement in stating that all professionals that support those with FASD should be trained.
Why 'FASD-Informed' Practice Is Essential in Children’s Homes
Children and young people with FASD pose high safeguarding risks, often presenting with behaviours that are misunderstood as deliberate, oppositional, or trauma-based alone. In reality, the 'symptoms of FASD' is the permanent brain damage affecting impulse control, emotional regulation, communication, memory, and adaptive functioning.
The training supports managers to move away from behaviour-led models and towards developmentally informed practice, considering symptoms, personalised care, helping teams understand why a person struggles, not just what they are doing.
Residential homes provide vital support for individuals with complex needs, among these neuro-developmental trauma caused by prenatal alcohol exposure which presents unique challenges for both residents and staff. Alcohol’s impact is not simply a short-term problem; it can fundamentally alter the structure and function of the brain, leading to a cascade of vulnerabilities that persist across the lifespan. Understanding these mechanisms is key for residential home staff to provide effective, empathetic care.
Children and young people affected by prenatal alcohol exposure often show developmental divergence from their peers. This means their learning, social skills, and independence may significantly lag behind age expectations, sometimes by several years; this is called a 'spiky neurodevelopmental profile'.
Without FASD-informed support, children are at higher risk of:
· Placement breakdown
· Escalating incidents
· Secondary disabilities, poor mental health outcomes
· Repeated safeguarding concerns
· Miscommunication
· Assumptions of capacity
This programme supports teams to adjust expectations, environments, and responses — improving outcomes for children, young people and stability for placements.
Programme Structure – 4 Stages
Stage 1 – Understanding FASD in Children & Young People
Prenatal alcohol exposure, brain development, and how FASD presents in childhood and adolescence.
Stage 2 – From Knowledge to Daily Practice
Applying FASD-informed strategies to routines, transitions, learning, communication, and emotional regulation in residential settings.
Stage 3 – Proactive & Individualised Support Planning
Planning ahead for change, recognising fluctuating capacity, and adapting support across developmental stages.
Stage 4 – Best Practice, Safeguarding & Standards
Aligning care with NICE Quality Standards, safeguarding responsibilities, risk management, reflective practice, and multidisciplinary working.
Key Features
✔️ Live, online bespoke training to fit around rotas
✔️ Tailored to your home, staff experience, and children/young person supported
✔️ Practical strategies staff can use immediately on shift
✔️ Certification and supporting resources included
✔️ Optional consultation for complex cases and placement support
Benefits for Residential Homes
· 'FASD Informed' Home Status
· Increased staff confidence and consistency
· More Awareness for FASD and identifying markers
· Managers are supported with positive strategies and knowledge
· Reduced incidents and placement instability
· Improved understanding of how to support FASD “challenging” behaviour
· Stronger safeguarding and regulatory alignment
· A calmer, more predictable environment for young people
The FASD Informed Stage 4 Programme supports Children/Residential homes to move from managing behaviour to meeting developmental needs, creating safer, more nurturing residential environments for vulnerable children and young people.
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