Secure Attachment Matters Ireland

Secure Attachment Matters Ireland I provide on-line or face-to-face coaching and support to parents. I bring more that thirty years professional experience to the task.

THE OBVIOUS QUESTION MIGHT BE "WHAT IS ATTACHMENT AND WHY DOES IT MATTER"

"'Attachment' is a term used to describe the dependency relationship a child develops towards his or her primary givers. It is first observable during the latter half of the first year of life and develops progressively over the first four years of life. It is most readably observed in the behaviour of children when they

are sick, injured, tired, anxious, hungry or thirsty' (Pearce, 2009)

Attachment behaviour ensures the survival of the infants and young children by keeping their caregivers close and available to provide protection and comfort. The attachment relationship provides the context for the main developmental task of infancy and early childhood, particularly emotional regulation and development of the capacity to ’mentalise’ (Furnivall, 2011)

The characteristics of caregivers affect the organisation and security of children’s attachment relationship with them. Sensitive, responsive parenting and parental ability to reflect on the infant’s own thoughts and feelings are associated with secure attachments in children.(Furnivall, 2011)

Children who have experienced maltreatment are significantly more likely to develop disorganised attachments and these can have lifelong physical, emotional and social consequences. (Furnivall, 2011, Shemmings and Shemmings, 2011)

Recent evidence from neuroscience confirms the importance of the early emotional and social experience of infants for the healthy development of their brains. Maltreatment can disturb the patterns of cortisol (stress hormone) secretion which can affect the immediate and long term mental and physical health. (Furnivall, 2011)
Looked after children benefit from developing secure attachments with their caregivers and interventions should support the development of these, whether children remain at home or are cared for outside their family (Furnivall, 2011). Successful placements are more likely when carers are able to respond to the children at their emotional care rather than their chronological one. Interventions with children should aim to address developmental brain impairment by providing care that build fundamental brain capacities. For looked after children this will (“may” italics added by J Gibson ) mean less use of verbal techniques and greater concentration of on physical, sensory and emotional way of working (Furnivall, 2011)
Caregivers should be assessed on the capacity to tolerate difficult behaviour and remain sensitive and responsive to the needs of children (Furnivall, 2011)
Support and training should be available provided to caregivers to ensure that they are able to maintain their capacity to be reflective about children rather than reactive to their behaviour (Furnivall, 2011)
Attachment-inform practice may require a policy and culture shift to ensure that children’s needs are appropriately met when care for away from home (Furnivall, 2011)

This is really worth watching
26/02/2026

This is really worth watching

When a child grows up in fear, the brain doesn’t just remember — it adapts.This video explores what childhood trauma does to the brain, how Adverse Childhood...

22/01/2026

Too many systems still respond to trauma with punishment and call it accountability. Children impacted by trauma are not failing schools. Schools are failing to understand trauma. In my latest article, I break down why compliance-based models undermine learning, how regulation and relationships shap...

True!
20/12/2025

True!

The Parenting App! You don't need to buy one! You already have one.
18/12/2025

The Parenting App! You don't need to buy one! You already have one.

You already have The Parent App! Think of reflective parenting as using an in-built APP!

This is a helpful graphic and if you want to avail of some assitance DM
16/12/2025

This is a helpful graphic and if you want to avail of some assitance DM

Executive dysfunction isn’t laziness — it’s when the brain’s “manager” struggles to plan, organise, and follow through. Recognising the traits is the first step to understanding and support.

Typically associated with dyslexia, ADHD and autism.

Introducing the After School Restraint Collapse Toolkit for Parents & Educators
Electronic download available via link in comments.
An executive function checklist is included in this pack.

This is an excellent 60sec video. Please share it
15/12/2025

This is an excellent 60sec video. Please share it

I got 2 reactions on my recent top post! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you....
11/12/2025

I got 2 reactions on my recent top post! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

25/11/2025

Today we’re focusing on the difference between Time-Out and Time-In — two approaches that look similar on the surface but shape emotional development in completely different ways.

This simple truth sits at the heart of brain-based, connection-focused discipline. Regulation is taught through presence, not isolation — and today’s posts will explore exactly why.

This was posted in LinkedIn. You might like it. More to come
19/11/2025

This was posted in LinkedIn. You might like it. More to come

As we continue exploring P.A.C.E, this week we look to one of its quietest yet most powerful elements, Acceptance. Acceptance doesn’t mean agreeing with every behaviour or ignoring boundaries. It means separating the child from their behaviour holding in mind that the behaviour makes sense when we...

This is a link to an article I wrote on LinkedIn - if you are interested in therapeutic residential child care the artic...
16/11/2025

This is a link to an article I wrote on LinkedIn - if you are interested in therapeutic residential child care the article will be of interest to you.

This was posted on LinkedIn. I thought it was worth passing on
12/11/2025

This was posted on LinkedIn. I thought it was worth passing on

Anthony Benedict posted images on LinkedIn

02/11/2025

If you're looking for a Saturday morning activity then why not try Ramelton Country Markets Ltd on Saturdays 10am - noon. The Fanciful Foodie

Address

Ballykeeran
Kilmacrenan
F92VY57

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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0863910286

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