Training & conference programme

Effective panels: An introduction to the functions and operations of fostering and adoption panels (England)

22 Sep 2021 | ONLINE

This open course aims to give new and recently appointed fostering and adoption panel members  an opportunity  to  develop their role as effective panel members and to consider the tasks and responsibilities involved. This will be within the context of the current legislative framework and emerging messages from research. Fostering and adoption/permanency panel work is challenging to all concerned in the process. This course is intended to share issues, dilemmas and best practice.

Panel administrators: Their role and responsibilities for fostering and permanency panels

27 Sep 2021 | ONLINE

Effective adoption and fostering panels are crucial to the delivery of a good adoption and fostering service, and the provision of services for looked after children. The role of the panel administrator is a multidimensional one. This open course will enable adoption and fostering panel administrators to examine related legislation and share best practice though group discussion and practice application.

This open course will familiarise social workers with the legal framework, process and forms required in assessing Connected Persons (family and friends) as potential foster carers. It will consider the intricate complexities and dilemmas that Connected Persons placements can involve and how these placements can best be supported.

Chairing meetings with confidence

4 Oct 2021 | ONLINE

This open course will explore general planning for and facilitation of panels and complex meetings in the children’s sector. It will explore time management and group facilitation whilst holding the child at the centre of thinking, recommendations and decision making. It will enable Chairs of meetings to consider good practice and approaches to effectively managing the flow of information, summarising and the formation of key action plans.

Black Lives Matter – what does this mean for fostering and adoption? - two-day open course

6 Oct 2021 | ONLINE

More than ever, people are seeing and questioning the treatment of black people in society, not only in the US but in this country also. As the conversation develops, we all begin to reflect on what we do in our everyday lives and specifically the workplace that continue to negatively impact on the lives of black people. This two-day course is an opportunity to consider how these issues impact fostering and adoption.

Wellbeing for Professionals: Motivation and willpower: how to get things done

6 Oct 2021 | ONLINE

FREE EVENT FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Wellbeing for Professionals sessions will offer an opportunity to meet and share experiences with professionals from across the country, as well as a pause for reflection. We will explore practical strategies to reduce mental chatter and increase a sense of calm. The sessions will be led by therapeutic social worker Hedwig Verhagen.

Making Good Adoption Assessments

13 Oct 2021 | ONLINE

This two-day open course will provide practitioners and particularly those who may be new to undertaking, quality assuring or considering adoption assessments with an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and practice in completing adoption assessments.

Panel advisors: Their role and responsibilities for fostering and permanency panels

26 Oct 2021 | ONLINE

Panel advisors have a complex role in managing the relationship between the agency and the panel, quality assuring and feeding back to all involved in panel work. This open course will enable panel advisors to examine this role in detail and build on effective practice as they carry out their role and responsibilities including: quality assurance; inducting new panel members; contributing to the appraisals of panel members; feeding back issues to the agency and working with the agency decision maker.

Supervising Social Workers: their roles and responsibilities

28 Oct 2021 | ONLINE

The open course will help to increase the understanding of the supervisory requirements of supervising social workers, in line with fostering legislation. It will look at roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children and young people and how foster carers can be supported and developed in their role.

Making Good Fostering Assessments - two day open course

3 Nov 2021 | ONLINE

This two-day open course will provide practitioners and particularly those who may be new to undertaking, quality assuring or considering fostering assessments with an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and practice in completing fostering assessments.