Under the Aegis: Val Kerr on Embracing Continuous Professional Development

Discover how Val Kerr, a Guardian ad Litem with TIGALA, integrates trauma-informed practices and Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) into her work, ensuring that children’s voices are heard and their needs are met.

At TIGALA, we view continuous professional development as crucial for empowering our Guardians ad Litem to advocate more effectively for children in care. In fact, the importance of continuous professional development is enshrined in one of our Practice Principles which focuses on quality

One of our panel of Guardians, Val Kerr, exemplifies this belief through her commitment to integrating additional training into her practice. With a decade's worth of experience under her belt, Val places particular importance upon the Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) training she completed alongside training around developmental trauma.

Val’s training in DDP has been crucial in her role as a Guardian ad Litem. DDP is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping children who have experienced trauma and attachment difficulties by fostering secure relationships. This method supports carers in creating a nurturing environment, enabling children to feel safe. Understanding that these children often communicate through their behaviour rather than words, Val uses this insight to better interpret their needs and advocate for them more effectively in court.

It's really been extremely useful to look at the child's communication through their behaviour and presentation and know that children don't always communicate verbally through their language.

Val explains how her additional training in developmental trauma has really enhanced her ability to understand how trauma impacts a child's developing brain and influences their behaviour and emotional regulation. This understanding allows her to look beyond surface behaviours and identify the root causes of a child's distress, ensuring that her court recommendations as a GAL are tailored to support the child’s long-term well-being.

‍

At TIGALA, we hold fast to the principle that each and every child’s welfare is paramount. Our Practice Principles guide our Guardians ad Litem to focus on direct contact with the child, meaningful conection, and accurate representation of the child’s wishes and feelings. Val’s application of trauma-informed care within these principles ensures that the children she works with receive the thoughtful, empathetic support they need to thrive.