Maintaining relationships’ in adoption: why does adoption need to change and how can we achieve this?

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

Over the last few years, there has been an increased focus on how children should maintain relationships with their birth family post-adoption. Culture change work delivered by the University of East Anglia and Adoption England has led to changes across the country in practitioners’ and agencies’ approaches to managing post-adoption contact, or ‘staying in touch’ arrangements.

This practice workshop will explore some of the research and theory behind the importance of maintaining relationships for adopted children, particularly in relation to identity and understanding life history. It will also consider how adopters can be prepared for future relationships with birth family, and provide an opportunity to think about how to plan and support staying in touch arrangements. The workshop will include interactive elements such as case studies, videos and group discussions.

Learning 0utcomes

• To understand the reasons behind why change is needed in post-adoption contact, with a focus on theory and research.
• To understand the importance of children’s relationships with birth family.
• To learn about some of the resources and tools available when making staying in touch arrangements.
• To have some practical suggestions around preparing, assessment and supporting prospective adopters, and for working with birth families.

About the trainer

Ruth Copson

Ruth is a researcher and experienced adoption social worker. She is currently working as a Senior Research Associate at the University of East Anglia on an evaluation of Early Permanence projects, undertaken in support of the National Adoption Strategy, and has worked with Beth Neil and colleagues on culture change work around maintaining relationships in adoption. Her recently completed PhD explores how family time in Early Permanence placements is managed and experienced by parents, carers, infants and practitioners, which includes a focus on relationships between parents and EP carers.

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 info@cvaa.org.uk. 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.