Training & events programme

FREE FOR MEMBERS
This webinar presents findings from Michelle's doctoral research at the University of Leeds, a qualitative study exploring parental contact in special guardianship families. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the PhD examined the lived experiences of special guardians and parents, and this presentation focuses on the second study and the accounts of two mothers - Nicola, whose son is being raised by her own mother, and  Rachael, whose son is being raised by his paternal grandmother.

The responsibilities of a Chair can be considerable. Whereas some duties may be clearly outlined in related practice guidance along with the qualities that ensure effective chairing, not all Chair responsibilities are so helpfully detailed or provided. This workshop 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.

OPEN TO ALL
CoramBAAF is delighted to be running this Private Fostering Awareness Day briefing. The Breakfast Briefing is particularly relevant to social workers new to this area or colleagues working in health, education and other partner agencies. For social workers, reflection on this session may contribute to your continuing professional development (CPD).

FREE FOR MEMBERS
This year’s lunchtime session for Private Fostering Awareness Day will focus on the complexities, challenges and solutions in private fostering social work practice. We will hear from local authority practitioners, the voices of private foster carers, parents and young people and consider some of the complexities that arise in private fostering arrangements.

This training will provide an overview of the available research and Outbound data for children being placed abroad. There will then be ample time to discuss issues regarding viability and support plans for overseas cases during case studies and group discussion.

The Digital Lives of Care-experienced Children project, based at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, is examining how care-experienced children and young people secure the digital access, and develop skills and confidence they need, and how the adults and systems around them can support them.
This webinar will introduce the project and share emerging findings from its first phase: a mapping of the policy and practice landscape relating to digital inclusion and digital skills for this cohort. We will explore how issues such as digital access, online safety, skills and preparation for adulthood are reflected in policy and guidance; where responsibilities for supporting young people’s digital lives sit; and where gaps, inconsistencies and opportunities for stronger practice may be emerging.

There has been an increase in the number of ‘relinquished’ babies and children needing adoptive families. Placed with their parents’ consent, agencies commonly use early permanence placements for these children.

This course will look at the relevant statutory frameworks and recent case law. It will also explore the challenges of working with relinquished babies and their parents, some of the complexities of the background histories of relinquished babies, the importance of counselling for relinquishing parents, care planning and the support needs of relinquished children and their adopters.

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.

The 9th International Conference on Adoption Research (ICAR) was held at the University of Porto in July 2026. This was an opportunity for researchers, professionals, adopted people and adopters from across the globe to discuss ideas, innovation and information, together with best-practice and contemporary evidence in adoption. In this session, we are delighted to be joined by a diverse team of specialists and academics who attended and presented at ICAR9, to discuss some of the learning and consider how this can apply to the children and families here in the UK.

Decision makers in fostering and adoption agencies have a vital but often under-explored role. Many decision makers describe finding themselves in the role with little or no preparation, and with few arenas locally to share dilemmas or discuss best practice. What is the best process for reaching a sound decision? How can you avoid it simply becoming a ‘rubber-stamping’ exercise? What is your role in relation to the quality assurance of the panel’s activities? How should a decision maker appraise a panel chair? What does a reasonable decision look like? How should it be conveyed?