TLSWi have worked in partnership with Children and Families Across Borders and Blue Cabin to create a family of new resources to support life story work with refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people.
They’re designed to provide guidance in an area where very little is currently available, and ultimately, to help ensure that more refugee, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children and young people benefit from high quality, trauma-informed life story work.
The three resources are:
All the resources are free and available for anyone to access.
Animation for young people
This three minute animation is designed to be watched by young people who have recently arrived in the UK as refugees or asylum-seekers. It explains what life story work is, and how it could benefit them.
The animation is available in English, Arabic, Dari and Tigrinya. Click below for each version…
Watch the animation in English
Watch the animation in Arabic
Watch the animation in Dari
Watch the animation in Tigrinya
Toolkit for practitioners
This toolkit is for life story workers and social workers who facilitate life story work for children and young people who are newly arrived in the UK.
It includes guidance on preparing for life story work with children and young people who are recently arrived in the UK, working with interpreters, building trust and taking an asset-based approach, trauma-informed practice, and examples of games which can be incorporated into life story work. Download the toolkit via the link below.
Life-story-work-A-guide-for-practitioners
Guide for interpreters
This guide is for any interpreter who is involved in life story work for children and young people who are newly arrived in the UK.
It includes an introduction to life story work and what to expect in sessions, the interpreter’s role in life story work, and guidance on building trust and taking an asset-based approach. Download the guide via the link below.
Life-story-work-A-guide-for-interpreters
Blue Cabin is offering a bonus live classroom on Thursday 7th May 2026, 10am – 1pm via Zoom, click link below for further information and to register for this event…
Life story work with refugee and asylum-seeking young people – Creative Life Story Work
Project funder
Project partners
A partnership project by Blue Cabin, Children and Families Across Borders, and Therapeutic Life Story Work International. Funded by The Segelman Trust. Animation created by Kazzum Arts.
THEiA (Trauma, Health, Education International Academy) has now delivered four successful Care Excellence Programmes to over 500 carers in November & December 2024 and January & February 2025. We are now accepting applications for the course throughout 2025, more details below.
To find out more about THEiA and the Care Excellence Programme, please see flyers below for more details…
THEiA – Introduction Flyer v4 FINAL
THEiA – Care Excellence Programme Flyer
Book online now!
We are pleased to announce the following dates are now bookable via our new website, THEiA Academy – THEiA
Delegates will be required to provide a supporting professional reference and will need to have the reference proforma completed and signed by their referee prior to applying. Please note that the signature provided must be an original, not typed name. Please see a link to the reference proforma below…
THEiA Care Excellence Programme – Reference proforma v3 FINAL
See website for dates in 2026
This course is currently only available to UK carers and will be offered Worldwide from 2025.
THEiA – ‘Shining a light on best practice’
The More About Me Approach is one of the main options. Practitioners are urged to think about other funding avenues as well, and where possible to suggest that work is commissioned in partnership with commissioners sharing costs.
TLSWuk are also working on quick “Guides to…” for TLSW and More About Me, which can be used by practitioners with children, families and commissioners of work.
Applications are now being taken for the Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work starting in September 2026 via THEiA – the ‘Academy of Learning’ from TLSWi.
If you want to be part of the TLSWi community, please email [email protected] for more information on the Rose Model and how to become a Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Life Story Work, or visit the THEiA website… Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work – THEiA Academy
Closing date for applications – Friday 31st July 2026
Testimonials from previous Diploma students
“This has by far been the most valuable training I have completed since qualifying as a social worker 16 years ago. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge, it’s been amazing and I am looking forward to continuing this journey”
“I have never attended a training that is so rich and interesting, and so useable!”
“Thank you Richard and all the trainers, such an amazing course and I really am looking forward to continuing my TLSW journey with children and adults. A wonderful course and opportunity!”
“Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and personal experiences. This course has been one of the best I have ever been on. I will use this knowledge and resources for ever more”
Deakin University, Melbourne Research in the Rose Model of TLSW 2022
“The research has shown us that TLSW strengthens the
attachment of a child to a primary care giver, which then
supports improvement in peer relationships, education
outcomes, reduction in trauma symptoms experienced,
reduction of high risk behaviours, improves mental health
and wellbeing and overall, a greater sense of identity”
Dr James Lucas 2022
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Creating Therapeutic Stories – 3 day course
Places are limited on this 3-day course presented by Suzanne McGladdery. The course aims to provide a framework for ‘Creating Therapeutic Stories’.
CTS Flyer 2026
Writing Up Your Therapeutic Life Story Work Books
Join Suzanne McGladdery on this online workshop on how to write up TLSW books.
Writing up your TLSW Book Workshop Flyer 2026
Becoming an Independent Life Story Worker
Suzanne McGladdery is providing a short course around becoming an Independent TLSW Worker, offering advice in setting up independent practice.
Becoming Independent Flyer 2026
Making eBooks in Therapeutic Life Story Work
Join Suzanne McGladdery for this short workshop on how Canva and Book Creator can be used for making story books in TLSW, including audio eBooks which can be of benefit for children with complex needs.
Watch this space for the next course coming soon!
TLSW Storytelling Workshop with Ruth Kirkpatrick
An opportunity to explore ways to use oral, traditional storytelling in your TLSW practice. Learn how storytelling can benefit your work, enhancing a trusting relationship, building emotional literacy and whilst developing skills in problem solving and empathy. Watch this space for future dates for this workshop.
Developing Your Therapeutic Life Story Work Tool Kit to Meet the Needs of the Child
These short online practical workshops have been designed to support the development of additional TLSW Tools, with the individual needs of the child and differentiation in mind.There are three individual workshops to attend, or receive a discount if attending all three! See flyer below for more information, dates, cost and how to book your place… Watch this space for future dates for this workshop.
Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work Supervision
This new course delivered by Karla Burley is aimed at those who have completed the Professional Diploma in TLSW and would like to become a TLSW Supervisor. Places are limited on this course, therefore early booking is advised. Watch this space for the next course coming soon!
Local Authority (& Fostering Agencies) TLSW Supervision Course
This new course has been created for those supporting team/staff members who have attended or are attending Professor Richard Rose TLSW Advanced Certificate 6-Day Course.
This course has been specifically designed and developed, endorsed by Professor Richard Rose, to inform you and offer you the insight, understanding of TLSW and to learn the TLSW skills and techniques so that you can support your team through their learning process of TLSW effectively and safely. This will enhance their practice from their learning on the 6-day TLSW Advanced Certificate course.See flyer below for full details, dates and how to reserve your place! Watch this space for future dates for this workshop.