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, designated teachers, and other professionals working with children and families.

Details

This expert-led training session offers adoption social workers an opportunity to explore Post Adoption Depression (PAD) — a frequently overlooked issue in assessments and post-placement support. While postnatal depression is increasingly recognised in birth parents, research shows that 10–32% of adopters also experience PAD, often without understanding what it is or why it happens.

Becoming a parent through adoption can be joyful yet emotionally demanding. The sudden arrival of a child — already their own person — can bring exhaustion, self-doubt, and feelings of being overwhelmed.

Led by Lynda Graham, who has over 10 years of experience specialising in this field, this session will help social workers recognise:

• the signs of PAD
• explore how to prepare and support adopters emotionally,
• and consider how to include this topic confidently within assessments, training, and supervision.

Through real examples and practical guidance, this session aims to build confidence in identifying and addressing PAD early, helping adopters and children settle and thrive together.

Learning outcomes

• Understanding what Post Adoption Depression is and how it can manifest

• Recognising the signs and risk factors during assessment and post-placement visits.

• Preparing and supporting adopters to acknowledge and manage difficult emotions.

• Confidently including this topic in training, and supervision discussions.

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.