Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
What is the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program?
The Circle of Security Parenting program is grounded in decades of research aimed at strengthening and supporting secure parent-child relationships. In particular, it guides parents in responding to their child’s emotions, rather than just addressing their behaviour. At SOEL, we offer this program in Perth to support families in raising secure, resilient, and confident children.
The Circle of Security (CoS) provides a visual “map” to help parents identify what they observe in their child and teaches them how to respond effectively, ensuring that their child’s emotional needs are met. The CoS map helps parents serve as both a secure base for their child to explore and as a safe haven during times of distress. As a result, children learn to recognise their feelings and develop skills for managing them as they grow (Circle of Security Network, n.d.; Australian Institute of Family Studies, n.d.).
CoS was developed by Robert Marvin, along with Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman, and Bert Powell, building on over fifty years of research in attachment theory and early childhood development. The program translates complex attachment theory into accessible insights for parents and professionals (Circle of Security Network, n.d.).
How the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program (COS-P) helps to build a secure relationship with your child
A longitudinal study found significant benefits for attachment patterns in high-risk families (Australian Institute of Family Studies, n.d.). Taken together, these findings demonstrate how the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program encourages mindful and empathetic caregiving. Ultimately, this enriches the parent-child relationship and promoting emotional security.
Key Benefits of Circle of Security for Parents & Children
The Circle of Security Parenting™ Program emphasises that the more secure children feel, the more likely they are to:
- Enjoy greater happiness with their parents
- Experience less anger towards their parents
- Turn to their parents for help when in trouble
- Develop better relationships with their siblings
- Trust the people they love
- Get along well with friends
- Form lasting friendships
- Solve problems collaboratively with friends
- Build higher self-esteem
- Resolve problems independently
- Believe that most problems have solutions
- Trust that good things will come their way
- Know how to be kind to those around them
The outcomes show how the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program enhances children’s emotional development and, as a result, helps families create stronger, more resilient relationships.
After completing the program, families will learn to:
- Understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read their emotional needs.
- Support their child’s ability to manage emotions effectively.
- Enhance the development of their child’s self-esteem.
- Honour the innate wisdom and desire for their child to feel secure.
How SOEL Delivers the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program
As part of our commitment to empowering children and families in our care, SOEL is pleased to offer the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program to our families at our West Leederville centre in Perth. The program provides a structured, evidence-based learning journey for parents. It runs for eight weeks, with a two-hour session each week.
Find out when SOEL is planning to host the next Circle of Security Parenting™ Program:
NEW DATES COMING SOON
Our Pedagogical Coordinator, Pia Coates, facilitates the program. She has been a vital member of the Pedagogy and Training team since 2016. Pia serves as a Registered Facilitator for both the Circle of Security Parenting™ and Classroom™ programs. As a Trained Facilitator in Circle of Security Parenting™, Pia helps parents apply the program’s principles in everyday family life.
Meet Our Certified Circle of Security Facilitator
As SOEL’s Pedagogical Coordinator – Inclusion Professional, Pia champions the inclusion of every child into our centres and learning programmes, while supporting both families and SOEL Centres. Her role reflects a deep commitment to the rights of all children and fostering environments and pedagogy where they can thrive.
Pia holds a Master’s in Education (Early Childhood Education), specialisation in boys’ education and emotional and social wellbeing, alongside a Diploma in Coaching, Mentoring and Interpersonal Facilitation. Furthermore, she is passionate about supporting children’s emotional and social needs, recognising that these are the foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Pia is committed to ensuring SOEL’s programmes reflect best practice in early childhood pedagogy. She believes that with the right combination of environment and relationships, holistic development can be nurtured in every child and adult; ultimately building a world where everyone is seen and belongs.
Since 2022, Pia has been training SOEL Educators in the Circle of Security approach and equipping them with the right tools to build secure relationships with children. This shift from behavioural approaches to social-emotional learning helps educators see how children express attachment needs through behaviour and find caring ways to address those needs. Consequently, this approach has been truly transformative for our educators.
Circle of Security Parenting™ Program FAQ
The Circle of Security Parenting™ Program is a research-based approach that helps parents understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs. It provides tools for building secure, trusting relationships that support lifelong wellbeing.
The program is designed for all parents and caregivers. It’s especially helpful for families who want to strengthen parent-child bonds, manage behaviour through connection, and support their children’s emotional development.
The program runs for eight weeks, with one two-hour session each week. Parents learn practical strategies and insights they can immediately apply at home.
SOEL offers the Circle of Security Parenting™ Program free of charge exclusively to the parents and guardians of children enrolled at our Perth centre in West Leederville.
Parents can register through our online event form. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Further recommended reading
- Find helpful guides, book suggestions, and trusted tools in our Parenting Resources Recommended by SOEL guide.
- Learn more about Circle of Security Parenting™ Program via the Australian Institute of Family Studies: AIFS – Circle of Security (CoS)
- Explore the global framework, resources, and training via Circle of Security International
References
Australian Institute of Family Studies. (n.d.). Circle of Security (CoS). Australian Government. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
Circle of Security International. (n.d.). Circle of Security International. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
Circle of Security Network. (n.d.). The Circle of Security. Retrieved September 8, 2025.