Understanding Compassion Fatigue and Supporting Discouraged Adoptive Parents

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 interactive practice session is designed for professionals supporting families who may be approaching, or are currently experiencing, blocked care or compassion fatigue. The session offers a clear and reflective exploration of how these states arise, why they can affect both parents and professionals, and how we might respond to them with understanding and appropriate intervention.

I liked Lisa’s way of presenting the information, she was clear, calm and concise. She gave gentle guidance and encouragement. She is obviously very knowledgeable and experienced, however she gave space to listen to other practitioners in the room. – Attendee, 2025

Drawing on current research and practice experience, the course will consider the evolving language around this area—particularly the distinction often made between “compassion fatigue” in professionals and “blocked care” in adoptive parents and carers. Participants will be invited to reflect on the potential impact of such terminology, including how unconscious bias may shape the compassion we extend to different groups and influence the support we offer.

The facilitator, Lisa, was warm and encouraging and she made it a safe space for us all to chat and explore ideas and perspectives. – Attendee, 2025

Led by Lisa Biggs of Adoption Focus, the training will examine the factors that increase an individual’s vulnerability to blocked care, the physiological and neurological changes associated with it, and evidence-informed strategies to help parents and carers both prevent and move through these experiences. The session also acknowledges the emotional demands placed on professionals who support families during periods of significant strain or risk of disruption, offering space to consider how best to safeguard one’s own wellbeing while maintaining effective practice.

The session was delivered clearly and in away that was so connected to the work we do – it was practical. – Attendee, 2025

Learning 0utcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand why blocked care / compassion fatigue occurs.
• Explore how blocked care / compassion fatigue presents in practice.
• Discuss strategies to support individuals who are in, or approaching, blocked care / compassion fatigue.
• Consider how professionals may be affected when supporting families experiencing blocked care / compassion fatigue, and identify ways to protect and sustain themselves.

About the trainer

Lisa Biggs

Lisa is a Training Officer and Post Adoption Support Worker at Adoption Focus. She joined Adoption Focus in 2022 and prior to that has 15 years’ experience of supporting vulnerable children and their families within educational settings. She is also an adoptive mother.

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.