Exploring Expertise: Moving to Adoption

THEME

For the majority of UK children adopted from care, adoption confers legal security, loving relationships and a sense of belonging in the adoptive family. However, in most cases, it also means that the child must be moved from a trusted foster family. This move can involve positive anticipation and enjoyment of new experiences, but also difficult feelings, which may include grief and loss of the foster and birth families. When the emotional impact of the move on the child is not recognised and responded to sensitively, or when moves are stressful or rushed, this can negatively affect the child’s well-being and even the adoption’s stability. It is essential that social work practice before, during and after the move places the child’s emotional needs at the centre, whilst also supporting carers and adopters.

This session will introduce authoritative practice model for supporting children’s moves from their foster family to their adoptive family – the University of East Anglia (UEA) Moving to Adoption model. Drawn from a two-year practice development project, the UEA model promotes sensitive practice that is responsive to the child’s needs. It can be applied to the moves of children of all ages and a range of circumstances. Although the focus is on adoption, the model’s principles are applicable whenever a child is to be moved from one carer to another.

For more details on CoramBAAF's Good Practice Guide 'Moving to Adoption'.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The session is aimed at social work managers, supervising social workers, children’s social workers, and other professionals to embed the model in their practice, and use it to support children, foster carers and adopters.

Members can watch recordings of previous Exploring Expertise webinars here

PRESENTER

Professor Elsbeth Neil is a Professor and Director of Research in the School of Social Work at the University of East Anglia. Her research interests are in how adoption is experienced by adopted people, birth relatives and adoptive parents, and particularly how birth and adoptive families keep in contact. 

FEES

This event is free for members (don't forget to log in to your account to receive your discount).

Non-members can purchase a place for £20+VAT.

Places on this event are limited, so early booking is recommended.

CONTACT

Telephone 020 7520 7520

Email training@corambaaf.org.uk