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

The impact of adoption is lifelong, and many adult adoptees experience difficulties accessing the right support at the right time. Although there has been increasing recognition in recent years of the importance of emotional and mental health support throughout adulthood, this remains an area that is still often overlooked within services. This session explores emotional well‑being through the perspectives of adult adoptees, drawing on lived experience alongside research and theory to highlight the importance of lifelong adoption support.

I would like to thank Danielle  for her interesting , informative presentations. Her passion for the area came across. – Attendee February 2026

The session will consider a range of mental health concerns that may present in adulthood, including complex PTSD, depression and anxiety, and more complex presentations that may sometimes be described using diagnostic labels such as “personality disorder”. It will also explore the impact of neurodiversity, particularly where neurodivergence is undiagnosed or identified later in life, and how this can interact with adoption experiences for older adult adoptees.

Really outstanding input from the presenters. – Attendee February 2026

Practitioners working in the adoption field are often supporting adults who present with significant emotional needs, and this webinar will support participants to enhance their understanding and confidence in responding helpfully in practice. The focus is on offering meaningful, emotionally informed support that is grounded in everyday professional interactions.

A practical thread runs throughout the session. Core relational skills such as active listening, empathy, validation and reflective responding will be revisited, alongside the introduction of a small number of accessible tools. These include basic formulation thinking, grounding techniques and breathing strategies, which can be used appropriately to support emotional regulation and engagement in day‑to‑day practice.

I loved the mix of lived experience, research and practical guidance. – Attendee February 2026

Learning outcomes

• Develop a clearer understanding of the lifelong emotional and mental health needs of adult adoptees.
• Increase confidence in recognising and responding to common mental health presentations and the impact of neurodiversity in adulthood.
• Clarify what meaningful, emotionally informed support looks like within everyday adoption practice.
• Apply practical, role‑appropriate relational skills and simple tools to support adult adoptees effectively.

About the Trainers

Dr Julie Elliott Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director, Adoption UK

As Clinical Director Julie is responsible for the clinical and therapeutic delivery across Adoption UK and ensures that we have robust clinical governance around the therapeutic services we offer. She manages the Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH) which deliver a range of therapeutic programmes. The team includes qualified and experienced psychologists and therapists, and experts by experience who deliver on the peer support components within PATH.

Julie is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years’ experience of working within Children and Family services across the NHS, Social Care, Education and the Independent/Charity sectors. Following an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics, she completed a PhD in Psychology, focussing on the effects of trauma in childhood. She then went on to complete her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Julie has previously managed Psychology and Psychological Therapy services within the NHS.

Dr Danielle Kerley PATH Clinical Psychologist, Adoption UK

Danielle is a Clinical Psychologist with a specialist interest in supporting individuals, couples and families impacted by traumatic experiences and childhood adversity. Her work with Adoption UK has involved supporting adult adoptees affected by historic adoptions (pre-1976). She also supports adoptive parents and caregivers, as well as children and young people, using a variety of therapeutic approaches. Danielle is passionate about ensuring everyone with experience of adoption receives the specialist, trauma-informed support they need.

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

This expert‑led, full‑day training explores Post Adoption Depression (PAD) and its relevance to adoption assessment, training, 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 fifteen 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.

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.