Beyond Therapeutic Parenting: Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Based Approaches for the Whole Adoptive Family

Who this is for

Adoption practitioners and managers (Voluntary Adoption Agencies, Regional Adoption Agencies, Local Authorities, and independent social workers), children’s social care services, children and family social workers, foster carers, kinship carers, designated teachers, and other professionals working with children and families.

Details

Adoption professionals often focus on understanding the impact of trauma on children, yet many adoptive parents are also living with the effects of their own early experiences, loss or trauma. When families are navigating both a child’s needs and a parent’s own emotional responses, therapeutic parenting can feel overwhelming and difficult to sustain.

In this thought-provoking workshop, expert trainer Hedwig Verhagen will explore how trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches can support the whole adoptive family. Drawing on the latest developments in trauma theory and attachment research, Hedwig will examine how early experiences shape relationships, parenting and resilience, and how practitioners can better assess, support and work alongside families with compassion.

The session will bridge theory and practice, helping participants apply trauma-informed thinking to assessments and support, while recognising that both children and parents bring their own histories into the adoption journey.

So relevant, with a great facilitator. – Attendee, April 2026

The presenter was amazing, inspiring, really knows her topic. – Attendee, April 2026

These learning outcomes will be achieved through a combination of theoretical input, small group discussions and reflection on a case study.

Hetty was extremely knowledgeable on the subject, but also had an open approach to learning. I appreciated this. – Attendee, April 2026

Learning 0utcomes

• Understand how trauma can affect both adopted children and adoptive parents
• Explore trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approaches and how they can be applied in adoption practice
• Recognise how early experiences can influence attachment, relationships and parenting
• Apply trauma-informed and attachment-based thinking when assessing and supporting adoptive families

About the trainer

Hedwig Verhagen is an independent therapeutic social worker and a social work lecturer at the University of Leeds. She has an MSc in Therapeutic Interventions for Psychological Trauma. She has worked in adoption and special guardianship support services for many years and was part of the small team that set up the Centre for Adoption Support in Warrington. Hedwig has a special interest in attachment, sensory processing and body-focused approaches to working with trauma.

Instructions

A member of staff will be in touch with attendees one week prior to the event to share a pre-event delegate pack.

If you have any questions regarding this webinar, please contact us at [email protected]. We will aim to answer your query within two working days.

CVAA accept online payments only. In case you do not have instant access to your company card, we suggest using your personal card instead to book a training event and claim it back with your agency in your expenses. Requesting an invoice to pay for our standard practice events is not possible.