THEME
This two-day open course will provide practitioners and particularly those who may be new to undertaking adoption assessments with an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and practice in completing adoption assessments. Practitioners will be enabled to consider thorough, rigorous, consistent and fair approaches across the service in the assessment of prospective adopters. This course may also provide a refresher for those wanting to reflect and build on knowledge skills and best practice in the completion of adoption assessments.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- To explore best practice in the completion of the Prospective Adopter’s Report (PAR)
- To practice and develop an integration of critical assessment tools and techniques within adoption assessments and current best practice
- To explore ways to consider prospective adopters in terms of their capacity to look after children in a safe and responsible way that meets the child’s needs
- Apply learning in the context of the legal framework
- To develop critical thinking and reflective practice in the completion of adoption assessments
- To consider ways of identifying prospective adopter’s competencies and strengths and areas they have or will need to develop
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Adoption social workers (particularly those new to adoption assessments), adoption team managers and adoption panel members who may wish to understand the assessment process in more detail.
For social workers, reflection on this session may contribute to your continuing professional development (CPD).
Total of 22 places available.
RECOMMENDED READING
Author: Elaine Dibben (2020)
The guide is primarily based on Part 1 of the PAR which pulls together information about the applicant – individual profile; family and environmental factors; present circumstances and becoming adopters. It now includes the additional experience, skills and understanding needed by prospective adopters in their role as foster carers when offering a Fostering for Adoption or concurrent planning placement, and ideas for evidencing the relevant skills and experience of foster carers wishing to adopt a child in their care.
Each section of the guide presents a list of trigger questions that can facilitate further discussion and encourage exploration of different areas and suggestions as to how this can be analysed to assess an applicant’s suitability, or not, to adopt.
Author: Paul Adams (2019)
The assessment of prospective foster carers and adopters is amongst the most important aspects of family placement work. Undertaking checks and references is a key part of these assessments, and a core task for social workers. But which checks are mandatory, and which are advisable? Which checks are needed in each UK country? Which are likely to yield the most useful information?
This Good Practice Guide details the range of checks routinely undertaken in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, in both fostering and adoption.
This popular guide has been fully revised and updated to take into account all recent legislative and practice changes UK-wide. These include changes to take into account new GDPR and data protection legislation, particularly in terms of confidentiality with regard to references.
Case studies illustrate the issues to be considered, and the guide includes a range of sample forms and checklists to help collate and analyse information.
PRESENTER
Laura Payne, Associate Trainer, CoramBAAF.
Laura Payne is a qualified Social Worker with over 25 years experience in Family Placement. Laura worked for Nottingham City Council from 1992 until 2012, as a Social Worker, as Panel Advisor and latterly as Principal Manager. Laura was Branch Manager at Coram Adoption East Midlands, known for its participation work, for 4 years before moving to Faith In Families in Nottingham where she is currently Head of Professional Services 3 days per week.
In addition to developing or delivering training Laura can offer consultancy for complex cases or chair meetings where an independent person is needed. Laura is particularly interested in Adoption Support, the placement of siblings, contact and the development of evidence based assessment skills. She is available to work in the Midlands or within 2 hours of Nottingham or further away for more substantial pieces of work.
TIME
Registration 9.45 am
Start 10.00 am*
Close 4.00 pm*
*Times subject to change
FEES
Full or associate CoramBAAF member £230.00 + £46.00 VAT = £276
Individual CoramBAAF member £190.00 + £38.00 VAT = £228.00
Non-member £280.00 + £56.00 VAT = £336.00
*Adopters/Fosters carers - £190.00 + £38.00 VAT = £228.00
*Please contact our events team via email to secure your place.
CONTACT
Telephone 020 7520 2043
Email training@corambaaf.org.uk
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