Secure Base Model
The Secure Base Model is a relationship-based framework that explains how
children develop resilience, confidence and emotional security through stable,
nurturing relationships with caregivers. Developed by Gillian Schofield and Mary
Beek, the model builds upon John Bowlby's Attachment Theory and Mary
Ainsworth's research on attachment by identifying the caregiving behaviours
that enable children to feel safe, explore their environment and recover from
adversity. The model is widely used in fostering, adoption, residential care and
children's social work to assess caregiving relationships and promote healthy
child development. Within social work, the Secure Base Model provides a
practical framework for supporting children who have experienced trauma,
abuse, neglect or disrupted attachments by strengthening the quality of
caregiving relationships (Schofield & Beek, 2014).
The Secure Base Model was developed during research into foster care and
adoption at the Centre for Research on Children and Families, University of East
Anglia. Schofield and Beek recognised that while Attachment Theory explained
the importance of secure relationships, practitioners required a practical
framework that could guide assessment and intervention with carers. Their
model therefore identifies the specific caregiving dimensions that help children
develop emotional security, resilience and positive relationships throughout
childhood and adolescence.
The model proposes that effective caregiving provides children with a secure
base from which they can explore the world while knowing that support and
protection are available when needed. Children who experience consistent,
nurturing care are more likely to develop confidence, emotional regulation and
healthy relationships. Conversely, children who have experienced abuse, neglect
or inconsistent caregiving may require therapeutic, relationship-based support to
develop trust and security.
The Secure Base Model consists of five interrelated caregiving dimensions.
Availability
Availability refers to the caregiver being physically and emotionally present,
responsive and dependable. Children need to know that trusted adults are
consistently available to provide comfort, reassurance and protection during
The Secure Base Model is a relationship-based framework that explains how
children develop resilience, confidence and emotional security through stable,
nurturing relationships with caregivers. Developed by Gillian Schofield and Mary
Beek, the model builds upon John Bowlby's Attachment Theory and Mary
Ainsworth's research on attachment by identifying the caregiving behaviours
that enable children to feel safe, explore their environment and recover from
adversity. The model is widely used in fostering, adoption, residential care and
children's social work to assess caregiving relationships and promote healthy
child development. Within social work, the Secure Base Model provides a
practical framework for supporting children who have experienced trauma,
abuse, neglect or disrupted attachments by strengthening the quality of
caregiving relationships (Schofield & Beek, 2014).
The Secure Base Model was developed during research into foster care and
adoption at the Centre for Research on Children and Families, University of East
Anglia. Schofield and Beek recognised that while Attachment Theory explained
the importance of secure relationships, practitioners required a practical
framework that could guide assessment and intervention with carers. Their
model therefore identifies the specific caregiving dimensions that help children
develop emotional security, resilience and positive relationships throughout
childhood and adolescence.
The model proposes that effective caregiving provides children with a secure
base from which they can explore the world while knowing that support and
protection are available when needed. Children who experience consistent,
nurturing care are more likely to develop confidence, emotional regulation and
healthy relationships. Conversely, children who have experienced abuse, neglect
or inconsistent caregiving may require therapeutic, relationship-based support to
develop trust and security.
The Secure Base Model consists of five interrelated caregiving dimensions.
Availability
Availability refers to the caregiver being physically and emotionally present,
responsive and dependable. Children need to know that trusted adults are
consistently available to provide comfort, reassurance and protection during
