Therapeutic care

---

Therapeutic care at Resiaction Staffordshire

Resiaction Children’s Homes use a PACE-informed therapeutic care approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) to create warm, trusting relationships where children and young people feel safe enough to heal and grow. Their homes are designed to be nurturing, consistent environments in which behaviour is understood as communication and past trauma is met with compassion rather than punishment. Through emotionally attuned care, clear boundaries and individualised support, staff help young people build resilience, develop healthy attachments and rediscover a sense of self-worth. This approach enables each child to move forward at their own pace, supporting them to thrive in the present while continuing confidently on their own unique journey toward independence and a positive future.

What is PACE and why do Resiaction use it

The PACE approach, which stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy is a therapeutic framework developed by Dr. Dan Hughes for working with children and young people who have experienced trauma, neglect, or disrupted attachments. PACE focuses on creating a safe, non judgmental, and emotionally attuned environment where children feel understood and accepted, helping them to regulate emotions and form secure relationships. Its success lies in shifting the focus from controlling behaviour to understanding the underlying needs and experiences driving it, promoting trust, emotional resilience, and social development. The approach is supported by an evidence base in attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and outcomes in residential and foster care settings, including studies showing that PACE-informed interventions can reduce challenging behaviours, improve caregiver-child relationships, and support long-term emotional and social wellbeing.  All Resiaction staff receive training in the PACE approach and work in collaboration with our clinical psychologists partners MPS.

We support and encourage children to engage in their care

At Resiaction Children’s Homes, children and young people are actively supported to engage with every aspect of their care, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in decisions that affect them. Staff work collaboratively with each child to develop individualised care plans that reflect their unique needs, strengths, and goals, regularly reviewing progress and adjusting support as required. Where appropriate, young people have access to direct therapeutic support, provided by trained professionals, to help them process experiences, develop coping strategies, and build emotional resilience. By combining personalised care planning with consistent, empathetic guidance and optional therapy, Resiaction empowers children to take an active role in their own growth, fostering confidence and enabling them to thrive on their individual journey.