The New Beginnings Therapeutic Framework
Built on five pillars:
- Trauma-Informed Care
- PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy)
- Attachment-Focused Practice
- Restorative Relationships
- Child-Led Participation and Voice
Every child deserves relationships that heal.
At New Beginnings Care for Children, everything we do is underpinned by a trauma-informed, attachment-focused model of care. Our staff are trained to understand the impact of developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences, recognising that behaviour is communication rather than simply behaviour to be managed.
We use the PACE model — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy — to build trusting relationships, helping children feel emotionally safe, develop resilience and learn healthy ways to regulate their emotions.
Rather than asking “What’s wrong with this child?”, we ask “What has happened to this child?” and “What does this child need from us today?”
Understanding Trauma
Many children entering residential care have experienced trauma.
Trauma changes brain development.
Relationships are the intervention.
Our Therapeutic Framework
New Beginnings uses a comprehensive therapeutic framework built on six evidence-based approaches.
Trauma-Informed Practice
Understanding the impact of developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences on behaviour, relationships and brain development.
Attachment Theory
Building secure, consistent relationships that enable children to develop trust, emotional safety and resilience over time.
PACE
Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy — the relational model that underpins every interaction with children in our care.
Therapeutic Parenting Principles
A parenting approach that prioritises emotional connection, co-regulation and nurture as the foundation for positive behaviour change.
Restorative Practice
Repairing relationships after conflict through dialogue, accountability and mutual understanding rather than punitive consequences.
Emotional Coaching
Helping children identify, name and manage their emotions, building the self-regulation skills they need for lifelong wellbeing.
What is PACE?
Playfulness
We create moments of joy, humour and connection that reduce anxiety and help children feel emotionally safe.
Acceptance
We accept the child’s internal feelings without necessarily accepting unsafe behaviours.
Curiosity
We remain curious about what a child may be communicating through behaviour rather than making assumptions or assigning blame.
Empathy
Children experience adults who genuinely understand their feelings and help them regulate overwhelming emotions.
What This Looks Like Every Day
“Rather than imposing immediate consequences, staff seek to understand what may be driving the child’s distress. Through curiosity, empathy and co-regulation, we work with the child to identify barriers, reduce anxiety and build confidence before supporting a return to education.”
Every member of our team is expected to build healing relationships using PACE, trauma-informed practice and attachment-focused approaches. We invest heavily in reflective supervision, therapeutic training and continual professional development because our staff are the intervention.