As a houseparent, nurturing the social-emotional development of the children in the home is not only important for them, it’s often part of your actual job.
While it may sound like a “trendy” new phrase, social-emotional learning (SEL) teaches students interpersonal skills and how to understand, control, and express their emotions and has been part of education for decades under various names, including whole child education and character development.
Many students in group home settings being cared for by houseparents have adversity and trauma in their backgrounds, making it absolutely vital for the staff they interact with to be informed.
If you are already a houseparent, it’s likely that your employer includes ongoing, relevant training according to their state licensure and particular mission and values as an organization. If you are new to houseparenting and interested in applying for a job, you may find building your SEL knowledge to be helpful as you enter a career working with children and teens. Here's a list of free resources for veteran, new, and potential houseparents to learn from and build your skills as child care provider:
These free resources can be valuable additions to your knowledge and skills as a houseparent, helping you create a nurturing environment that supportschildren's social-emotional development and ultimately helps them thrive.
Houseparent.com is a career resource and job board for people interested in pursuing a career in residential childcare. Our mission is to connect dedicated married couples and individuals with employers hiring houseparents, cottage parents, teaching couples and other live-in caregiving roles. Our goal is to share tools, resources and career opportunities so that you can make an impact in the lives of children who need it most.