The Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Collective’s First 2025 Meetings

The Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Collective is a pathway to support, innovation and professional growth for Therapeutic Specialist working with young people in residential care.

Facilitated by the Centre, the TRC Collective provides a space to explore therapeutic practice, build sector knowledge, and discuss key challenges and solutions to support vulnerable young people.

We’re excited to announce the first two TRC Collective sessions for 2025, featuring expert facilitators and pertinent topics designed to equip residential care teams with practical tools and insights.

2025’s first session

The first session will take place on 22 January, facilitated by Nat Tillinger, Statewide Principal Practitioner, and Clare McCrumlish, Principal Practice Advisor for Child Sexual Exploitation.

This session will focus on supporting young people who are engaging in child sexual exploitation. Participants will explore approaches to working therapeutically with young people affected by exploitation, gain a deeper understanding of risk factors and indicators, and discuss strategies for creating safety and stability within residential care settings.

2025’s second session

The second session, on 19 February, will be co-facilitated by Natalie Tillinger and Marcus Coats, Principal Practitioner for Secure Care.

This session will focus on the role and purpose of Secure Care in supporting young people’s safety and wellbeing. It will explore how residential care staff and care teams can best support children during their stay in Secure Care and help ensure a smooth transition back into residential care or the community.

The TRC Collective continues to be an invaluable forum for fostering collaboration, learning, and growth. By coming together as a sector, residential care teams can build their capacity to support young people through trauma-informed, therapeutic approaches that prioritise safety, connection, and positive outcomes.