Neurodivergence (including ASD and ADHD) in Children in Care: From Assessment to Family Support (Adoption and Beyond)

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

This expert‑led, full‑day training supports adoption and fostering practitioners to strengthen their understanding of neurodivergence, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in children and young people.

Neurodivergent traits can present in a wide range of ways and may be overlooked, misunderstood or clarified over time. Understanding how autism and ADHD may influence children’s emotional, behavioural and sensory experiences is essential for effective assessment, preparation and family support.

The training explores how neurodivergence may influence adoption and fostering assessments, with a focus on developing practitioners’ confidence in assessing families and considering children’s needs throughout the process.

Led by David Robinson‑Field, the session supports practitioners to:

• develop a clearer understanding of key features of neurodiversity, particularly autism and ADHD
• consider how neurodivergent traits may influence adoption assessments and decision‑making
• apply practical strategies to support adoptive parents, foster carers and designated teachers

The day has a strong practical focus, offering strategies and tools to help practitioners deepen their understanding and feel more confident in their work with families across assessment, placement and ongoing support.

Learning 0utcomes

• Understanding key features of neurodiversity, particularly in relation to autism and ADHD, and understanding how these may present in children and young people
• Understanding how neurodivergent traits can influence the adoption assessment process – practical tools to assess families during the adoption process
• Practical strategies to support adoptive parents/foster carer and designated teachers in meeting the emotional and sensory needs of neurodivergent children.
• Practical strategies and tools that can help practitioners deepen their understanding and feel more confident in their practice with their families.

About the trainer

David Robinson-Field

David is Head of Service Adoption Support at Adoption Focus.  He has a Masters Degree in Education and a Masters in Social Work. David used to work as a Lecturer and Manager in Further Education for 20 years, however once he adopted his two sons, his interest in adoption grew resulting in David retraining to be a Social Worker.

David spent his student placement with the Centre for Adoption Support before joining as an Adoption Practitioner and then Team Manager in 2019. David became the Service Manager in 2024.

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.