Understanding Post Adoption Depression: Supporting Adopters Through Transition

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 explores Post Adoption Depression (PAD) and its relevance to adoption assessment, preparation and post‑placement support.

While postnatal depression is increasingly recognised in birth parents, research indicates that 10–32% of adopters experience PAD. Many adopters do not recognise what they are experiencing or understand why adoption — often long hoped for — can bring emotional distress alongside joy.

Really enjoyed it, Lynda is easy to listen to and appreciated the adoptive parent sharing – Attendee 2026

The training sets the context by exploring expectations of everyone involved in adoption, before introducing Post Placement Depression and the “blues”. Lived experience is central to the day, with interview material and case study work offering insight into the realities of early placement and transition.

Loved it – Attendee 2026

Led by Lynda Graham, who has over ten years’ experience specialising in this field, the session supports social workers to:

• recognise early signs and risk factors associated with PAD
• reflect on the early stages of placement and the social worker role
• strengthen psychological preparation for adoption and post‑placement support

The afternoon focuses on practical application, including developing tools to support identification and early intervention. The day concludes with consideration of support for prospective and adoptive parents, alongside practitioner wellbeing and self‑care.

Lynda was informative and experienced in this area. – Attendee 2026

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Understand Post Adoption Depression and how it may present before and after placement
• Recognise signs, vulnerabilities and risk factors during assessment and post‑placement visits
• Reflect on adopters’ lived experiences and the emotional impact of early placement
• Strengthen psychological preparation for adoption
• Use practical tools to support early identification and response to PAD
• Identify appropriate support for adopters and consider practitioner wellbeing

About the trainer

Lynda Graham

Lynda is a Senior Accredited Counsellor with National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. After twenty-five years as a Social Worker and Senior Practitioner, Lynda set up a Private Counselling Practice. She has a particular interest in Post Placement Blues/Depression and has set up a Specialist Counselling and Support Service for prospective and new adoptive parents who are struggling following the placement of their child/children. Having researched this topic for her MSc in Counselling she also provides training to potential adoptive parents, Social Workers and other professionals.  Lynda is also a Counselling Supervisor and Trainer and Adoption Panel member with a local Health and Social Care Trust.

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.