Working with schools: supporting the emotional needs of (previously) looked after children in education

THEME

This half day training is aimed at professionals who are supporting children and their families and who would like to explore different ways to collaborate with schools in meeting the child’s emotional needs. We know that for many children who are in kinship or foster care, or who are adopted, education can be a challenging experience.

We will discuss ways to share your understanding of how attachment disruptions and experiences or early trauma  impact on a child’s learning and sense of safety within school and how to work towards an effective collaboration between the child’s home, school and professional support network.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Consider the possible impact of attachment disruptions and early trauma on children's ability to engage with education

• Reflect on the importance of safety and connection for children and young people to achieve their educational potential

• Examine the support needs of children, young people, parents/carers, and educators 

• Explore different approaches and strategies to collaborate with schools to meet the child's emotional needs

PRESENTER

This event will be delivered by Hedwig Verhagen. Hedwig is a therapeutic social worker who has worked in adoption and special guardianship support services in LA and VAA environments since qualifying as a social worker in 2010. She was part of the small team who set up a Centre of Excellence in Adoption Support partnership service in 2013, which later became the Centre for Adoption Support at Adoption Matters. Hedwig’s therapeutic work is informed by Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), as well as body-based approaches. Her areas of special interest are Child to Parent Violence and Aggression and the experiences of adopted young people and adults. She is currently undertaking research into birth parents’ experiences of trauma.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This training is aimed at social workers, family support workers and social work managers, foster carers, kinship carers and adoptive parents, health and education professionals may also benefit from this training.

On open courses we can accommodate a maximum of four delegates from one organisation only. For a larger group booking, please see the information on commissioned training.

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

Total of 22 places available.

RECOMMENDED READING

Parenting Matters: Parenting a child with difficulties in learning caused by trauma

Author:  Anne Hurley with Kathleen Grace

Children who are looked after or adopted may experience varieties of learning difficulties caused by the trauma and disruptive relationships that marked their early lives. These difficulties may exist not just in education, but also in social skills, in children’s ability to relate and attach to others, and to absorb new information. This title in the Parenting Matters series provides authoritative, clinical guidance for carers, adopters and education staff on why these learning difficulties can occur and what can be done about them

The foster carer's handbook on education

Author:  Sarah Alix with Eileen Fursland and Nicola Hill

This clear, straightforward handbook aims to support foster carers so that they can help the children in their care to have the best possible experience of education. It provides straightforward information about the education system, how best to liaise with education staff, how they can help their child with school, and much more.

The adopter's handbook on education

Author: Eileen Fursland

This clear, straightforward handbook aims to support adopters in England so that they can help their children have the best possible experience of education. It provides straightforward information about the education system, how best to liaise with education staff, how they can help their child with school, and much more. A similar guide is also available for adopters in Scotland

TIME

Registration 9.45 am
Start 10.00 am*
Close 1.00 pm*

*Times subject to change

FEES

Full or associate CoramBAAF member - £50.00 + £10.00 VAT = £60.00

Individual CoramBAAF member - £40.00 + £8.00 VAT = £48.00

Non-member -  £62.50 + £12.50 VAT = £75.00

Student discount for all fees - 20%*
*Please contact the events team

CONTACT

Telephone 020 7520 2043
Email training@corambaaf.org.uk

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