Hi, I’m Fi Newood. I have been working with Looked After Children since 2000, initially in residential settings. In 2008 my wife and I became foster parents to a sibling group of three, who we went on to adopt in 2008. Fostering, and then adopting, has been one of the best things I have ever done but it has also been my greatest challenge. When traditional parenting approaches didn’t work we found ourselves searching for something that would. Adapting to a more therapeutic style of parenting has not come easily. There has been plenty to learn, trial, evaluate and a lot of personal growth along the way.
I have become passionate about the role of the adult in supporting young people to maturity, the impact on parents caring for children with trauma histories, and the practical ways theories and research can be used to support parents and professionals in their work with the child. I feel that often the needs of the adult become overlooked because of the high needs of the child.
“Young people respond best to relationship-focused rather than child-centred practice. To best meet the needs of the young person we also have to consider those of the parent or professional working or living with them. It is by understanding our own histories, relationships, needs and wishes that we can best support the young person with theirs”.
Having experienced foster-adopt parenting myself, I am committed to helping other parents through their daily experiences. I am now a qualified Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Life Coach,Trainer, and have studied Therapeutic Fostering at degree level. I hold a Masters Degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy as well as other qualifications. I am the author of a number of books for both children and foster/adoptive parents, the creator of the 3B’s therapeutic model and a highly regarded trainer on therapeutic parenting.
