Beyond Rewards and Sanctions: A Therapeutic Approach to Supporting Children

Sticker charts, points systems and the removal of privileges are familiar in many residential, fostering and education settings. While well intentioned, they often fail to meet the needs of children who have experienced trauma, attachment disruption and shame, and can sometimes make things harder.

This guide explains why traditional reward and consequence systems so often fall short, and offers a practical, relationship-based alternative. Drawing on the work of Bruce Perry, Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, Ross Greene, Dan Hughes and others, it gives carers, staff and leaders clear strategies they can use in everyday situations, along with real scenarios showing what a therapeutic response looks like in practice.

The Guide includes the following: - Understanding Why Rewards and Consequences Often Fail - The Missing Elements: Trauma, Attachment and Toxic Shame - A Therapeutic Alternative to Rewards and Consequences - Implementing a Therapeutic Approach to Behaviour - Overcoming Challenges and Sustaining Change - Practical Scenarios and Solutions