Profile guidance

The purpose of a Building Families profile is to introduce a child or youth, including their personality, relationships, abilities, experiences, and the support they need from a family. It helps prospective families get to know them and consider whether they could welcome them into their family and support their needs.

Some prospective parents may be new to understanding trauma, developmental differences, and how these can affect a child’s behaviour and responses. Without context, information about a child’s experiences or challenges can feel overwhelming. A trauma-informed approach helps families understand what everyday life may look like, the circumstances that may contribute to the child’s responses, and the patience, compassion, learning, and support that parenting may require.

Be open about significant needs and concerns while also sharing the child’s strengths, progress, and what helps them. Presenting difficult information with context and care can help families consider what meeting those needs could involve, rather than feeling overwhelmed before they have had the opportunity to understand the child or explore the support available.

Throughout the profile, consider how the child might feel hearing themselves described. Protect their privacy while giving families an honest understanding of their needs, with more sensitive details explored through an appropriate confidential conversation.

The goal is for families to leave with a realistic understanding of the commitment involved, alongside hope about what permanency, stability, supportive relationships, and appropriate services may make possible. The profile can open the door to further conversations that help families understand what welcoming the child could involve and what preparation and support they may need.