Learning from Research: Managing infant Family Time in Early Permanence- messages from research

THEME

Ruth Copson will share findings from her doctoral research which explores how Family Time/contact for infants in Early Permanence placements is managed and experienced by those closely involved. The perspectives of birth parents, Early Permanence carers and practitioners will be shared with reflections on how infants respond to Family Time.

PRESENTERS

Ruth Copson, Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Social Work, University of East Anglia

Ruth Copson is an Associate Tutor and PhD researcher in the School of Social Work. Her research focuses on two aspects of social work practice – Early Permanence (aka ‘Fostering for Adoption’ or ‘Concurrency’), where a baby is temporarily fostered by prospective adopters who may go on to adopt them, and supervised contact (or ‘Family Time’). This is the time that a baby spends with their birth parents during care proceedings, usually in a contact centre supervised by a professional. Contact takes place for the majority of children in care and Ruth’s research aims to offer a unique insight into how this contact is managed and experienced by all those involved, including birth parents. She has a particular interest in using observational methods to glean a greater understanding into infants’ experiences of contact.

Ruth qualified as a social worker in 2011 after completing an MA in Social Work at the University of East Anglia. After initially working in a child protection team, she moved to Norfolk Adoption Service in 2013 where she took a lead role in the Fostering for Adoption scheme. Before commencing her PhD, Ruth worked for a Voluntary Adoption Agency in London. Alongside practising as a social worker, Ruth completed an MA in Advanced Social Work in 2018, undertaking a small scale research project on Fostering for Adoption carers’ relationships with birth parents. She currently works part time as an Independent Social Worker, specialising in adoption.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The session is aimed at early permanence carers, social workers, managers, panel members, researchers, other professionals, foster and kinship carers, as well as special guardians and adopters. It is also relevant to those involved or interested in Policy and its influence on practice and permanence.

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

Members can watch recordings of previous Learning from Research Webinars here.

FEES

Members: FREE (don't forget to log in to your account to receive your discount)
Non-members: £20+VAT.

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

CONTACT

Email events@corambaaf.org.uk

MEMBERS BOOK HERE