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

Despite the Equality Act 2010 making ‘race’ and ‘religion or belief’ protected characteristics, the Children and Families Act 2014 no longer required English adoption agencies to give ‘due consideration’ to a child’s race, religion or cultural birth heritage.

However, while the legislation may have changed, practitioners are continuing to strive for the most appropriate ways to support the care journeys of children and young people from minoritised backgrounds. This includes them asking how social care systems can further improve to accommodate diversity and identity so minoritised children can be best supported in expressing and understanding their identities.

“Knowledgeable and engaging presenters. Gained real insight in to how to think about working with people of muslim heritage – lots of thoughts provoking ideas about placements, assessments, working with children.” Attendee, 2021

Drawing upon interviews with care-experienced minoritised children and young people on asking and getting help from social workers, foster carers, adopters and other support structures, this training will:

• Explain how an intersectional framing of young people’s identities in care, particularly around the intersections of ethnicity and faith, can improve provision.
• Use case studies based on lived experiences to help understand how children and young people engage with faith whilst in care.
• Explore ways to support young people and children in negotiating transitions and transformations within their faith identities whilst in care.

Learning outcomes

• Greater insights into how looked-after children and young people from minoritised backgrounds perceive, experience and express their ethnicity, religion and identity.
• Identify formal and informal support that aids minoritised children and young people of religious heritage in having positive relationships between themselves, their carers, social workers, and their communities (religious and non-religious).
• Reflect on how to amplify minoritised children and young people’s views so decision-makers and care-providers, including review panels, have a more complex rendering of identity that is shaped directly by children and young people’s voice.

About the trainers

Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor

Sariya is 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.

Dr Alison Halford

Alison is a Research Fellow at the Centre of Data Science. She is a sociologist of religion, with particular interest in minority religions in the UK. Her work on British women and Mormonism was recently published in the Handbook of Gender and Mormonism (2020).  Before entering academia, Alison worked with families at risk of offending.

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.