Exploring Expertise: FASD – Supporting children and families through research-informed practice

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with lifelong cognitive, emotional and behavioural challenges. Early identification and support can significantly improve outcomes for children with FASD, highlighting the need for social workers to have a clear understanding of the challenges associated with prognosis, the prevalence of FASD, and its complex intersections with trauma and attachment.

In this session, we are delighted to be joined by Dr Alan Price from the University of Salford to share some of the promising research into FASD and its implications for social work practice.

We will be exploring the evidence base behind the SPECIFiC training programme for supporting carers and parents of children with FASD. Emerging research on the interrelationship between pre and post-natal adversity with an emphasis on the key signals that warrant further investigation into pre-natal alcohol exposure, as well as, risk factors in relation to FASD and the criminal justice system.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Confidently describe the challenges around prognosis, prevalence, and how FASD intersects with trauma and attachment issues.
Understand key research findings that inform best practices across social care and legal systems.
Apply practical, evidence-based tools to support children and families living with an FASD diagnosis.

PRESENTERS

Dr Alan Price, Lecturer in Pyschology, University of Salford

Dr Alan Price is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Salford, whose main research interest is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). His PhD thesis was on the additional impact of childhood trauma on cognitive and behavioural functioning in children with FASD. He is currently working with colleagues at the University of Salford and in the NHS and charity sector to develop and test a training programme for parents and carers of children with FASD, called SPECIFiC. He was involved in the first piece of research to estimate the prevalence of FASD in the UK, which was conducted in Greater Manchester. Alan is a founding member of the UK FASD Research Collaboration, and he is a member of the Professional Advisory Panel for Irish FASD charity EndPAE. Alan has delivered talks and lectures on FASD to academics and other professionals, families affected by FASD, the general public, and students of Public Health, Psychology, Nursing, and Midwifery. He is also part of a group that delivers a regular one-day training event on FASD for paediatricians hosted by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Alan’s published works include journal articles, magazine articles and book chapters.

WHO'S IT FOR

This session is aimed at social workers, and health professionals that work with children in adoption, fostering and kinship care. It will also be useful to carers of children and young people with FASD.

For social workers, reflection on this session may contribute to your continuing professional development (CPD).

Members can watch recordings of previous Exploring Expertise Webinars here