What Is the SPARK Care™ Framework?
The SPARK Care™ Framework is a trauma-informed model for children’s services that gives your team a practical, 6-step process for every single interaction.
It was designed by our founder, Ash, based on her 5 years of frontline experience and her personal, lived experience in the care system.
The framework's entire purpose is to solve the biggest problem in residential care: inconsistency.
It does this by giving all your staff - from the new starter to the senior leader - a simple, memorable and repeatable set of actions. This shared language is how structured frameworks transform care, moving your team from being reactive and overwhelmed to being proactive, confident and consistent.
▷ The Vision Behind SPARK
SPARK was born from our founder's direct experience. She saw that most training fails because it's not built for the reality of neurodiversity (like ADHD, Autism and PDA) and it's not practical enough for a high-stress shift.
Our vision is to provide a framework that is. It's built on a simple, powerful quote from Ash:
"SPARK isn’t behaviour management - it’s self-esteem in motion. It's a system for turning your team's good intentions into measurable, consistent, daily practice."
▷ Why Trauma-Informed Structure Matters
For children who have experienced trauma, predictability is safety. A lack of structure feels chaotic and threatening, which is often the root cause of escalations.
For staff, a lack of structure is stressful. It leads to "decision fatigue" and burnout.
SPARK provides a clear, reliable structure for everyone. This predictability calms the nervous system, builds trust and creates the stable foundation needed for real healing.
▷ The Core Principles of the SPARK Framework
SPARK is built on three core principles that make it different from other models you may have seen.
- It's "Neuro-Smart," Not Just Trauma-Informed. This is the key. Most trauma models assume a neurotypical brain. SPARK is the first framework built to merge trauma-informed principles with the specific brain-based needs of neurodivergent children. It reframes "won't" to "can't right now" and gives staff practical tools for sensory, processing and executive function needs.
- It Builds Self-Esteem, Not Compliance. This isn't a behaviour chart. Every step of SPARK is mapped to one of the Six Pillars of Self-Esteem (like Safety, Belonging and Voice). When a staff member uses A: Adjust & Choice, they aren't just stopping a crisis; they're actively building that child's sense of Voice and Responsibility.
- It's Built for Repair, Not Rupture. The framework has K: Kindness & Repair built into its DNA. It gives staff a clear process to restore connection and dignity after a rupture, making it a core part of the job, not an afterthought. This is essential for building reflective, confident practitioners.
▷ How SPARK Creates Safer, Consistent Care
SPARK transforms your service by creating a "common language" that everyone speaks.
▷ A 6-Step Practical Tool for Every Interaction
The framework is a simple, memorable acronym:
- S²: Safety & Scan: Pause. Notice body, mood and environment.
- S: Safety & Downshift: Calm your voice and body first. Secure safety before you correct.
- P: Predict & Preload: Warn before change. Make life predictable to lower anxiety.
- A: Adjust & Choice: Shrink the demand. Offer two real, small options to restore control.
- R: Regulate & Model: Co-regulate. Let them borrow your calm. Your nervous system is the anchor.
- K: Kindness & Repair: Always return after a rupture. Restore dignity and connection, every time.
▷ Improving Emotional Regulation in Teams
You can't co-regulate a child if you're dysregulated yourself. SPARK is a tool for improving emotional regulation in teams because it gives staff a clear plan. When you have a plan, you feel less stressed and more in control. Tools like the Staff Mirror (part of our implementation) then embed this into your reflective supervision, making it a measurable skill.
▷ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What does SPARK stand for?
A: SPARK is a 6-step framework for trauma-informed daily practice: S² (Safety & Scan), S (Safety & Downshift), P (Predict & Preload), A (Adjust & Choice), R (Regulate & Model), and K (Kindness & Repair).
Q: How does it help care teams?
A: It gives them a single, shared language for providing consistent, predictable and Neuro-Smart care. This clarity builds staff confidence, improves team cohesion, embeds reflective supervision and reduces escalations.
Q: Is SPARK evidence-based?
A: Yes. It's grounded in established, evidence-based trauma theory, attachment models and neuroscience. Crucially, its effectiveness comes from being built on the direct, practical evidence of our founder's 5 years of frontline experience and personal lived experience in the care system.
Q: How does SPARK improve emotional regulation?
A: It provides a structured, predictable process for high-stress moments. This clarity reduces staff anxiety, allowing them to model calm (R: Regulate & Model). It also includes tools like the Staff Mirror to make reflective practice a core, ongoing part of your supervision, which builds emotional literacy in your teams.
