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

‘Of all the substances of abuse (marijuana, cocaine, and heroin), alcohol produces significantly more serious neuro-behavioural effects to an unborn child’.  Research estimates 1/50 children are affected by FASD with as many as 75% of Looked After Children at risk through documented exposure (The Peterborough Study).

The presenter was excellent, her lived experiences added so much to my learning. A hug thank you to Joy.

For many adopters looking to build a family, the uncertainties that come with the diagnosis, or even the possibility of one, feel too overwhelming for them to take on and outweigh their confidence to parent. Horror stories, bad press, stigma, academic overload and fuzzy guidance all play their part in making a complex condition feel undoable.

Really well delivered. Great videos from the children. Lots of useful information

The role of the social worker is absolutely critical in building adopters’ level of confidence. Informal feedback (which you will see) suggests ways that adopters feel the current approach could be more effective and fruitful by understanding a few of the key issues in a practical way.

I thought Joy was really inspiring as she was talking about her personal experience in a really passionate way and not using lots of jargon and social work speak

The focus of this session:
We will be taking an honest look at the main concerns for adopters which broadly fall into three areas: home life and future uncertainties, education and the path to diagnosis. Through peer discussion, real-life examples and interviews with a child diagnosed with FASD, we will leave with an understanding of FASD that can help our families navigate this complex condition in a meaningful way.

Learning 0utcomes

• To understand some of the main concerns and struggles that adopters face;
• To know how to effectively support adopters in a meaningful and way as they navigate the education system and face the many barriers to a diagnosis.
• To have a practical knowledge of the changes to the NICE guidelines and what they mean for FASD families.

About the trainer

Joy Hopgood-Gravett

A teacher by trade, a foster carer turned adopter by life’s twists and turns. Speaker, trainer, and fierce advocate for children with FASD since it casually waltzed into my life 16 years ago weighing 4lb11.

I’ve spent a lot of time in recent years supporting the adults who support children affected by FASD… I like to think I help them untangle it and see some of the potential and beauty it holds. Teachers, adopters, carers, social workers, even the occasional doctor… I’m unapologetically positive while acknowledging the challenges.”

As a family that includes two children who were adopted with a history of prenatal exposure to alcohol, I’ve lived enough of family life to know children with FASD are every bit as capable of thriving in a family as their peers… they just bring a little more colour to everything!

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.

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

In this training session will look in detail at assessing prospective adopters with complex mental and health issues as a critical aspect of the adoption process. The assessment process must consider a wide range of issues, including Body Mass Index (BMI), unhealthy lifestyles, long-term medical conditions, and mental disorders to ensure prospective adopters are able to successfully parent a child and provide a safe and stable home.

Together with Ellie Johnson, a health consultant at CoramBAAF, we will get to the nitty gritty of the assessment process to consider the prospective adopter’s ability to manage their condition, and their ability to provide a secure and supportive environment for a child.

As part of this training, we will consider how to best ensure that prospective adopters receive appropriate treatment and support, so they can meet their adopted child’s needs.

Learning 0utcomes

• Understanding the importance of considering complex mental and health issues in the adoption process
• Awareness of the potential impact of high BMI, unhealthy lifestyles, long-term medical conditions, and mental disorders on an individual’s ability to parent
• Understanding the importance of considering an individual’s ability to manage their condition and provide a stable environment for a child
• Awareness of the importance of ensuring prospective adopters receive appropriate treatment and support
• Understanding the relationship between mental and physical health and its impact on the adoption process

About the trainer

Ellie Johnson

Ellie graduated from Manchester University with a nursing degree and worked as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and specialist public health practitioner in the NHS for 25 years. She was a designated nurse for looked after children for 14 years and chaired a regional LAC nursing network. During this time she was also involved in a joint project with the National Children’s Bureau focusing on inequalities in health experienced by looked after children.

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.

Who this is for

Panel members, Adoption practitioners (Voluntary Adoption Agencies, Regional Adoption Agencies and Local Authorities),  Independent Professionals and other professionals who are working with children.

Details

A serious case review highlighted the impact of changes in mental health in adopters which lead to Dr Snow undertaking some research into Post Adoption Depression. In this webinar she will explore PAD including the background , research, working model, factors and adopters’ voice. Dr Snow will present findings from her Churchill Fellowship international research including exploring other countries ‘approach to post adoption support. The webinar will challenge us to think about the resources and support needed for staff and for adopters though out the adoption journey to ensure that emotional health and well being of adopters is addressed from a multi agency perspective.

Time will be given for attendees thoughts and experience to be shared to enrich our learning.

Learning 0utcomes

• To better understand Post Adoption Depression including factors at play
• To gain an international perspective on adoption support
• To understand the adopter experience
• To prompt thinking about service design and delivery to address emotional health and well being in adopters

About the trainers

Dr Lynn Snow

Dr Snow is a community paediatrician working as Designated Doctor for looked after children for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and has worked with looked after children for over 20 years in various roles (including adoption Medical advisor) in various areas of the country. She is currently the RCPCH Looked After Childrens Officer and was previously chair of the CoramBAAF National Health advisory committee. She is a Churchill Fellow having completed a travel research into Post Adoption Depression and is now seeking to implement recommendations.

She has been closely connected with the work on health records for children post adoption working with DHSC and NHSE.  She held a Fellowship with health education England East Midlands for two years looking at leadership in the SAS group of doctors. She has previously worked in West Africa in community child health. She is motivated by the desire to see high quality joined up services at all levels which ensure that the child in looked after child remains the focus.

Instructions

A member of staff will contact attendees one week before the event as a reminder— THERE WILL BE NO EVENT PACK FOR THIS SESSION, and because this is a SHORT AND SMART EVENT NO RESOURCES WILL BE SHARED.

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.

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.

Details

This bespoke evidence seminar delivered by Dr Morvwen Duncan will explore how adoption practitioners can provide comprehensive and well-informed mental health support for adopted teenagers and help adoptive parents do the same.

We will discuss the unique challenges faced by adopted teenagers, emphasizing the crucial aspect of identity formation during adolescence. Our agenda includes insightful sessions on the prevalence of mental health difficulties, risk factors analysis, and practical applications of renowned models like Kim Golding’s Pyramid of Needs and Bronfrenbrenner’s framework. Develop skills in the identification and onward referral treatment of adopted teenagers based on NICE guidelines, with hands-on case studies for practical application.

You will have an opportunity to engage in enriching discussions, hands-on case studies, and smaller group tasks to refine your skills in the identification and onward referral treatment of adopted teenagers based on NICE guidelines, with hands-on case studies for practical application. You will be equipped with practical tools to support adopted parents, navigate identity issues, and implement effective strategies.

By the end of this webinar, you will have acquired a well-rounded skill set, enabling you to navigate the complexities of supporting the mental health of adopted teenagers with confidence and effectiveness.

Learning outcomes

• Gain insights into the distinctive challenges faced by adopted teenagers, fostering a deeper understanding of their mental health needs
• Explore the intricacies of identity formation during adolescence
• Apply theoretical knowledge on the prevalence of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and conduct disorder
• Develop skills in the identification and onward referral treatment
• Acquire strategies to support adopted parents
• Develop a toolkit for addressing self-harm concerns and implement ACT/CBT strategies to provide comprehensive support for mental health challenges
• Embrace a holistic approach to mental health support, integrating theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and empathetic strategies to make a positive impact on the well-being of adopted teenagers

About the trainer

Dr Morvwen Duncan

Dr Morvwen Duncan is a HCPC (The Health and Care Professions Council) registered Clinical Psychologist and the founder & director of The Lotus Psychology Practice. She currently works across private practice, as an Expert Witness to the Family Courts and within the NHS as the Lead in a Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team.

Dr Duncan is experienced in working with children and young people of all ages, including children with complex needs due to neurodevelopmental co-morbidities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Dr Duncan has particular expertise in working with looked after and adopted children, having worked within the Tavistock Fostering and Adoption Team and at Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Attachment and Trauma Team.

Dr Duncan is also actively involved in research, having spoken at international conferences with several academic publications across a range of areas of mental health.

Instructions

A member of staff will be in touch with attendees one week before 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.

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

In this training session will look in detail at assessing prospective adopters with complex mental and health issues as a critical aspect of the adoption process. The assessment process must consider a wide range of issues, including Body Mass Index (BMI), unhealthy lifestyles, long-term medical conditions, and mental disorders to ensure prospective adopters are able to successfully parent a child and provide a safe and stable home.

Together with Ellie Johnson, a health consultant at CoramBAAF, we will get to the nitty gritty of the assessment process to consider the prospective adopter’s ability to manage their condition, and their ability to provide a secure and supportive environment for a child.

As part of this training, we will consider how to best ensure that prospective adopters receive appropriate treatment and support, so they can meet their adopted child’s needs.

Learning 0utcomes

• Understanding the importance of considering complex mental and health issues in the adoption process
• Awareness of the potential impact of high BMI, unhealthy lifestyles, long-term medical conditions, and mental disorders on an individual’s ability to parent
• Understanding the importance of considering an individual’s ability to manage their condition and provide a stable environment for a child
• Awareness of the importance of ensuring prospective adopters receive appropriate treatment and support
• Understanding the relationship between mental and physical health and its impact on the adoption process

About the trainer

Ellie Johnson

Ellie graduated from Manchester University with a nursing degree and worked as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and specialist public health practitioner in the NHS for 25 years. She was a designated nurse for looked after children for 14 years and chaired a regional LAC nursing network. During this time she was also involved in a joint project with the National Children’s Bureau focusing on inequalities in health experienced by looked after children.

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.

Who this is for

Adoption practitioners and managers (Voluntary Adoption Agencies, Regional Adoption Agencies and Local Authorities) and Independent Professionals.

Details

Early life adversity can have profound and long-term consequences for neurodevelopment. There is considerable evidence that exposure to early life stress, such as neglect and maltreatment, can result in alterations to pertinent neurobiological systems associated with cognitive dysfunction and increase vulnerability to mental health problems. Most children adopted from the public care system in the UK are removed from their birth family following experiences of abuse or neglect.

“The depth of research provided that in turn inform practice was really excellent. Professor Shelton and Dr Paine were able to translate their findings into context that will really help shape and inform how we can effectively deliver services in the future” Attendee, 2022

As an intervention, adoption drastically alters a child’s circumstances in a way which may compensate for adversity experienced in early life. However, adoptees remain more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems that endure into later life. Adopted children are also overrepresented within clinical settings and lag their classmates academically. The Wales Adoption Cohort Study (2015-2020) had the overarching aim of increasing understanding of the factors that supported successful outcomes for Welsh children adopted from care.

“Gave information about research which was new to me. A lot to consider in terms of developing or changing practice. Posed some hard questions around what the future of adoption should look like in relation to contact, given significance of social media in our lives. Allowed time to discuss with colleagues, share experiences which is always useful, and hear different perspectives..” Attendee, 2022

This evidence seminar will:

• profile the neuropsychological and mental health of Welsh children adopted from care in 2015 and consider the impact of family relationship quality on later psychological health and
• examine post adoption sibling relationships including consideration of children placed together and apart
• apply what we have learned from the Cohort Study to the policy and practice of adoption support, with specific reference to the NAS all Wales adoption support plan

Learning outcomes

• An understanding of the mental health and neuropsychological profile of children adopted from care
• An understanding of the experiences of family life in the 5 years after adoption, including relationship quality and changes in employment pattern
• A sense of how children’s mental health is associated with family functioning
• Insight into the development and preparation of the good practice guide for adoption support: the purpose and value to the sector of an agreed format covering all aspects of adoption support

About the trainers

Professor Katherine Shelton

Professor Katherine is a developmental psychologist with 20 years experience of research and teaching in the field of family functioning and child development. Her research is focused on identifying and understanding the psychological and social needs of vulnerable children and young people. Over the past 5 years, she has led an inter-disciplinary, longitudinal study investigating the experiences and early support needs of adoptive families and their children.

Dr Amy Paine

Dr Amy is an early career researcher who works at the intersection of developmental, social, and cognitive psychology, and uses observation, neurocognitive assessments, and longitudinal methods to study child development. She is particularly interested children’s interactions with family members and friends in relation to their social and cognitive skills and mental health.

Sarah Coldrick

Sarah is the legal consultant with AFA Cymru and has over thirty years’ experience in all aspects of childcare law. She and her colleague, Helen Hawksworth, were commissioned by the National Adoption Service for Wales to create four good practice guides for adoption, including the guide on adoption support. Sarah is an adoptive parent, 20 years into family life with three sisters.

Wendy Keidan

Wendy is the CEO of St. David’s Children Society which also encompasses AFA Cymru. She has 36 years’ experience in all aspects of permanency planning for children with specific emphasis on the needs of children and young people growing up in an adoptive family. She has particular interest in how we can most effectively support children and their parents in the early years and as those needs evolve and change over time. St. David’s Children Society is a partner in the National Adoption Service and celebrated 80 years of delivering adoption services in 2022.

You will be able to network with practitioners from other agencies, share best practice and glean new ideas.

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.