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, and other professionals working with children and families.

Anyone interested in learning about the experiences and perspectives of Black social workers on the subject of identity and the children they work with.

Details

This engaging evidence seminar will focus on how historically, social work practice has not always met Black children’s identity needs. In the 70s, it was standard practice to place Black children in white homes. In 2002, legal policy was amended to emphasise children’s religion, race, and culture in finding permanent homes. However, in 2014 the legal requirement to consider ethnicity was removed, allowing transracial placements.

In this session, we will present the oral history of Black social workers in Britain. We will explore how Black social workers navigated policy shifts on ethnicity and identity in the UK—what were their perceptions of these changes, and how did they experience them in practice?

This project was funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and conducted by the University of Coventry.

Learning outcomes

• Hear their voices: Listen to the oral history of 18 Black social workers and their experience navigating a changing policy landscape on identity and the consideration of ethnicity in children’s social care.
• Meeting identity needs: Uncover the professional and personal commitment of Black social workers, who went above and beyond to care for vulnerable children and meet their identity-needs.
• Contribution to social work: Learn about the historic, significant, and often under-recognised contribution of Black, South Asian and other minoritised communities to social work and civil society more widely

About the trainers

Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor

Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor is a Feminist Sociologist of Religion. She is Assistant Professor and Research Group Lead for Faith and Peaceful Relations at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK. She chairs the Muslims in Britain Research Network (MBRN). Her publications include Muslim Women in Britain: Demystifying the Muslimah (Routledge 2012), Religion or Belief, Discrimination and Equality: Britain in Global Contexts (Bloomsbury 2013) and Islam on Campus: Contested Identities and the Cultures of Higher Education (OUP 2020). She led the first research exploration of the experiences of children of Muslim-heritage in the care system in Britain. She is proud adoptive mother to two children.

Kusha Anand

Kusha Anand is Research Fellow and Co-Investigator, currently contributing her expertise to two pivotal research projects at the esteemed Centre for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations, located at Coventry University, UK. As a seasoned political sociologist, Kusha’s scholarly pursuits revolve around the nuanced intersections of identity, citizenship, and education. Drawing upon a rich decade of immersive fieldwork experience, Kusha specialises in collaborative and interdisciplinary research initiatives, with a primary focus on ethnic minoritised groups, refugees, and migrants within the UK context. Her commitment extends beyond academic curiosity, delving into a genuine passion for amplifying the voices of individuals from ethnic minoritised groups in the UK.

Dr Jordan Brown

Dr Jordan Brown is a historian specializing in the intersections of gender, political activism, protest, and social history, with a particular focus on economic history and the contributions of marginalized groups. Their PhD explored the often-overlooked roles of women in militant activism during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, challenging traditional narratives about far-right organizations. They have led interdisciplinary research projects, such as the Black Social Workers Heritage Project, where they managed sensitive oral histories and highlighted systemic inequalities. With extensive experience in qualitative research, public engagement, and inclusive teaching, Jordan is committed to fostering critical thinking and diverse perspectives in academia.

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.

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, and other professionals working with children and families.

Details

This engaging evidence seminar delves into the unique experiences and expressions of identity among adopted children and young people, especially those from minoritized ethnic and religious backgrounds. Researchers at Coventry University have undertaken a recent study aimed at making a meaningful impact in the lives and care of children and young people with care experiences.

The focus of their research centers on understanding identity narratives, exploring the complex intersections of ethnicity, religion, identity, and care. The goal is to establish a new paradigm that informs both theoretical and practical approaches to working with children in care.

By participating in this workshop, adoption practitioners can expect to deepen their understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of adopted children’s identities. They will gain insights into the innovative ‘in-flux identity’ framework, informed by concepts like “Intersectionality” and “Lived Religion.”

Practitioners will develop a nuanced understanding of how identity narratives intersect with ethnicity, religion, and the experience of care. The workshop aims to equip practitioners with practical knowledge on utilizing the ‘Identity see-saw’ as a tool to comprehend the fluidity of identities over time and the pivotal role of individual agency in shaping identity.

Participants will also explore the broader social contexts that influence identity, encompassing the beliefs, values, and identities of the adults responsible for the care and decision-making of adopted children.

Ultimately, practitioners will leave with valuable insights and perspectives to inform their adoption practices, ensuring a more holistic and responsive approach to the unique needs of adopted children.

Learning outcomes

• Recognising the different aspects/layers to a child or young person’s identity
• Understanding identities as changing and evolving
• Confidence in allowing children and young people to lead during conversations about their identities

About the trainer

Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor

Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor is a Feminist Sociologist of Religion. She is Assistant Professor and Research Group Lead for Faith and Peaceful Relations at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK. She chairs the Muslims in Britain Research Network (MBRN). Her publications include Muslim Women in Britain: Demystifying the Muslimah (Routledge 2012), Religion or Belief, Discrimination and Equality: Britain in Global Contexts (Bloomsbury 2013) and Islam on Campus: Contested Identities and the Cultures of Higher Education (OUP 2020). She led the first research exploration of the experiences of children of Muslim-heritage in the care system in Britain. She is proud adoptive mother to two children.

Kusha Anand

Kusha Anand is Research Fellow and Co-Investigator, currently contributing her expertise to two pivotal research projects at the esteemed Centre for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations, located at Coventry University, UK. As a seasoned political sociologist, Kusha’s scholarly pursuits revolve around the nuanced intersections of identity, citizenship, and education. Drawing upon a rich decade of immersive fieldwork experience, Kusha specialises in collaborative and interdisciplinary research initiatives, with a primary focus on ethnic minoritised groups, refugees, and migrants within the UK context. Her commitment extends beyond academic curiosity, delving into a genuine passion for amplifying the voices of individuals from ethnic minoritised groups in the UK.

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.

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

During this bespoke expert-led training session led by Dr Beverley Prevatt Goldstein, practitioners will be guided in exploring the fluidity of cultural identity and cultural practice through self-reflection, academic and practice literature and research.

This will be the basis for structured activities which encourage minimising bias in assessing cultural practices and in identifying the appropriate cultural adoption placement for any child.

Practitioners will be assisted in understanding the impact of racism on cultural practice and on our assessment.

Practitioners will consider through small group work and the presentation of live recordings, the benefits and the challenges in taking into consideration cultural matching between children and prospective adopters. This will be considered both in the short-term and the long-term and in the context of racism.

You will also have a unique opportunity to learn from fellow adoption practitioners, whilst at the same time having the opportunity to identify the situations you find most challenging and work in smaller groups to consider various solutions.

You will be able to hear from the latest research and practice.

Learning 0utcomes

• Understanding of the complexity of culture and cultural identity and their link with ‘race’ and racism
• Understanding of the fluidity of cultural practices
• Confidence and competence in assessing the merits of a range of cultural practices
• Confidence and competence in providing placements which offer children wide and appropriate cultural opportunities

About the trainer

Dr Beverley Prevatt Goldstein

Beverley Prevatt Goldstein specialized in adoption and fostering in social work practice and in academia. She has developed an approach which is rooted in a black perspective, through her membership of BAAF’s Black Perspective Group. Her training also reflects her decades of working in academia and with all parties in the adoption process through her social work practice, her training role with ‘Fostering Network’ and her participation in the boards of the General Social Care Council and BASW. This is evidenced in her publications with both BAAF and the British Journal of Social Work, notably ‘Race’ and Ethnicity (BAAF, 2000) and Black with a white parent-an achievable and positive identity (BJSW, 1999).

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.