Training & events programme

FREE FOR MEMBERS
Around two-thirds of children are taken into State care due to experiences of severe maltreatment such as abuse or neglect. Consequently, being taken into care is an intervention for this vulnerable group of children, with the expectation that State care will then ameliorate or stabilise their mental health. Despite this, numerous research studies indicate that mental health concerns in this vulnerable child population remain high. This session, presented by Dinithi Wijedasa of Bristol University, will highlight practice and policy-relevant findings from two ESRC-funded research studies.

OPEN TO ALL
As the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working across adoption, fostering and kinship care we want to equip professionals like you with the knowledge, best practices, and resources needed to improve the lives of children and young people. This is why we are launching a breakfast webinar series to help you get started in adoption, fostering and kinship care.

SOLD OUT
A key event for all health professionals working with adoption and fostering agencies. Further details about the day and full programme to follow. Book a place on our waiting list.

Exposure to domestic abuse can have long-term consequences for children’s health and development. These may not be immediately apparent once children have been removed from an abusive home and are living with alternative carers. The impact of domestic abuse can be missed in assessment and planning, resulting in children not receiving the level of care and support they need.

FREE FOR MEMBERS
We know that young people with experience of local authority care have far greater rates of mental health difficulties than their non care-experienced peers. Yet, paradoxically, there is growing evidence that care-experienced young people are likely to find it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis and access to NICE-recommended best-evidenced mental health care. This talk will present findings from the ADaPT project – an active implementation study spanning 28 mental health teams across England. Our presenter is Dr. Rachel Hiller

This half day course is aimed at professionals who work with children and families who may benefit from a therapeutic intervention and would like to increase their understanding of different therapeutic approaches. Foster carers, kinship carers and adoptive parents who are considering different options for therapeutic support may also benefit from this training.

This course acknowledges and celebrates difference. It situates neurodiversity as a natural variation to ‘the norm’ rather than as something that is disordered, dysfunctional or deficient. The aim of the course is for participants to increase their knowledge and develop confidence in discussing some aspects of neurodiversity including Autism, Dyslexia and ADHD.

Child health assessments are a key component in permanence planning for looked after children. Medical Advisers need to be aware of the relevant legislation, statutory guidance and competencies framework. They are required to interpret information and present this in an informative and considered format for social care colleagues, panels and potential carers. This course will consider the Medical Adviser's role in adoption relating to children.

Analysing adult health assessments is a key element of assessing adopters and foster carers. This includes providing reports and evidence-based comments so that panels can reach appropriate decisions. This course is designed to support medical advisers in their role. It is particularly suitable for new or inexperienced medical advisers.

The PACE parenting approach was developed by Dr Dan Hughes for parents and carers of children who are adopted or live in foster or kinship care families. PACE stands for Playfullness, Acceptance. Curiosity, and Empathy and is an attitude has proved to be helpful for many professionals working in adoption, fostering or kinship care services.