Training for Adoption South East adopters

Adoption UK is running a range of training courses for adopters and prospective adopters registered with Adoption South East. There are also training sessions for professionals.

Our training helps adopters develop their knowledge and skills at all stages of the adoption journey. For professionals, training helps you to understand the needs of adopted children and adoptive families and to develop your knowledge and understanding of the unique needs of families who have come together through adoption.

All training programmes are delivered by highly- skilled, professional trainers who all have lived experience of parenting adopted children. They understand the challenges and rewards of parenting an adopted child.

If you are unable to register for a course, this may be because it has reached capacity and bookings have closed. Please either book onto the next available session, if available, or e-mail [email protected] to be put on a waiting list and title your e-mail ASE waiting - course title.

Book Any Of The Courses Here

TRAINING FOR FAMILIES

January 2024

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

This is a peer- learning training programme for parents and carers focussing on managing challenging behaviour and supporting parents to develop practical strategies to use in the home.

This course aims to support parents in developing their role as therapeutic parents, working to avoid re- triggering their child’s trauma. It also supports parents to develop strategies relating to engagement, reciprocity and de- escalation. The course enables participants to have space to develop their knowledge and understanding as well as having time and space to learn from their peers.

This 8- week training session sits within a series of courses offered by Adoption UK in partnership with Adoption South East that supports parents and carers to deal with aggressive and/or violent behaviour in the home. The courses are designed to work as building blocks and should be completed in the following order:

Managing Anger & Defiance: Practical Solutions

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

Child On Parent Violence

Above & Beyond Child On Parent Violence: Peer Learning Programme

Non- Violent Resistance

You do not need to attend all courses (you can start at any point) and can select the course(s) that best meet the needs of your family.

If you are unsure about which course best meets your needs, please email [email protected]

This course is 8 weeks long and participants are asked to commit to attending all 8 sessions.

All sessions run 19:30- 21:00

8th January 2024
15th January 2024
22nd January 2024
29th January 2024
5th February 2024
19th February 2024
26th February 2024
4th March 2024

Parenting Our Teens- POSTPONED TO LATER IN THE YEAR. DATES TBC.

This 9- session programme of support is for parents to gain an understanding of their teenagers needs, learn strategies to help their teenager and themselves, help to improve key relationships and find some valuable peer support.

Module 1 – Expectations, realities and loss

This module explores the common mismatch between the expectations of all those involved in the adoption process, and the reality for those same people, primarily the parents and the child.

Module 2 – Developmental trauma

This module is core to the whole course. Parents think about their care, as it helps to have an understanding of how it works and what parents need to do to keep it working well. With a traumatised child, parents need to know how their child’s body and brain are functioning in order for parents to be able to offer the most appropriate support.

Module 3 – Claiming and belonging

This module will help the understanding of developmental re-parenting. Parents will also develop skills to interpret the non-verbal communication of the child as well as understand the theory of sensory integration.

Module 4 – Parenting from the inside out

The theme of self-care is again evident in this module, with an emphasis on the impact of parenting a traumatised child and the support mechanisms that can be accessed.

Module 5 – Rewiring

This module is highly participative and uses scenarios provided by participants to allow discussion of parenting approaches. Trainers facilitate discussion about the interpretation of the behaviour manifested and support parents to develop an approach that validates the child’s feelings and lets them know that they are loved despite their behaviour.

Module 6– Developing positive self-esteem and sense of identity

This module considers the development of the child’s self-esteem through success in education and the possibility of accessing therapy. It also looks at contact with birth-family members to consider whether any current contact is supportive or detrimental to the child.

All sessions run 10:00- 13:30

12th January 2024
19th January 2024
26th January 2024
2nd February 2024
23rd February 2024
1st March 2024
8th March 2024
15th March 2024
22nd March 2024

This is an ASF- funded course.

Places on this course will be allocated through ASE following the submission of an expression of interest form.

FASD Support & Networking Group

Are you a parent or carer of someone who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol?

Do you want to know more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

Come along and meet other parents and carers to share knowledge and ideas and to create a support network with others who may be experiencing similar challenges to your family. This group is facilitated by Annaleigh- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD.

Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group.

24th January 2024 20:00- 22:00

To register, please click on the Book Courses link at the top or bottom of this page.

FEBRUARY 2024

Non- Violent Resistance

NVR is an approach, which has been specifically developed for responding effectively to aggressive, violent, self-destructive and controlling behaviour in children, adolescents and young adults.

In Non- Violent Resistance, parents or carers learn to acquire a position of strength, not giving in to unreasonable or harmful demands by the child, protecting themselves from aggression and violence, yet avoiding the unnecessary, unhelpful and painful battles of the past.

“Raising parental presence” becomes the alternative to trying to control an uncontrollable and often out of control child. Feeling empowered and stronger, parents can then use ‘reconciliation work’ to develop a stronger focus on the young person’s needs, and show that they continue to love and care about their child.

You may have made the same attempts to improve things over and over again. You will often find yourself in a situation that is utterly predictable – e.g. when you are trying to reason with your child, part of you already knows that this will merely lead to a heated argument, with smashed objects in the house, shouting, and maybe even physical violence. Perhaps you have become locked in a repetitive, unhelpful pattern.

Using NVR, you will carefully develop ‘strategies’ to respond to the controlling behaviour that, at first, may appear counterintuitive, but that are very different from the reactions you have shown before. However, this is not “behaviour management” – these are strategies for helping you for making peace in the family and changing relationships.

This 8- week course course sits within a series of courses offered by Adoption UK in partnership with Adoption South East that supports parents and carers to deal with aggressive and/or violent behaviour in the home. The courses are designed to work as building blocks and should be completed in the following order:

Managing Anger & Defiance: Practical Solutions

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

Child On Parent Violence

Above & Beyond Child On Parent Violence Peer Learning Programme

Non- Violent Resistance

You do not need to attend all courses (you can start at any point) and can select the course(s) that best meet the needs of your family.

If you are unsure about which course best meets your needs, please email [email protected]

This course is 8 weeks long and participants are asked to commit to attending all 8 sessions.

All sessions run 19:30- 21:00

1st February 2024
8th February 2024
22nd February 2024
29th February 2024
7th March 2024
14th March 2024
21st March 2024
28th March 2024

Places on this course will be allocated through ASE following the submission of an expression of interest form.

Getting Ready For Placement

This training course will enhance your knowledge of developmental trauma and attachment and examine the importance of making positive connections with a hurt child. Your trainer- an experienced adoptive parent- will provide information on practical ways to prepare for family life, identify ways of helping a child move into a new family and parenting strategies which build attachments while respecting the child’s past and maintaining safe and developmentally appropriate boundaries.  The course also focusses on the importance of self- care and creating a strong support network.

This course is only suitable for approved and waiting adopters.

5th February 2024 09:30- 13:30

Supporting Adopted Adolescents

This course runs over three sessions aims to support parents through the (often) turbulent teenage years. The course covers:

Understanding the emotional and practical impact of adolescence

Identifying issues teens face and practical strategies to support them during this often challenging time

Dealing with parental compassion fatigue and self-care

You will also have the opportunity to discuss the individual challenges you may be facing with your peers.

Please note, there is a follow up session for this course to give you the space to reflect and talk to your peers about the impact of this training and to think about any next steps that may be beneficial for you and your child(ren).

9th February 2024 09:30- 13:00
4th March 2024 09:30- 13:00
15th April 2024 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session)

Keeping In Touch: Supporting Your Adopted Child To Maintain Links With Their Birth Family

During this training course, you will examine the experience of contact from the perspective of the child, the birth family and adoptive parents.  You will have the opportunity to:

Consider the purpose, benefits and difficulties associated with contact. 

Explore how contact can be used to assist with the child’s identity formation. 

Appreciate how contact can be supported and improved. 

Consider contact in the context of tracing and reunion.

There is also a pre- meet with the trainer where you will be able to share any challenges you are currently facing in relation to contact. This meeting will enable to trainer to create breakout groups that are beneficial and meaningful to all participants. You will be allocated a time slot for the pre- meet once you have registered for the course.

7th February 2023 09:30- 15:30
20th March 2023 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session)

MARCH 2023

Child On Parent Violence: Primary Age Children

This course is an introduction to Child On Parent Violence. As a participant of this course, you will be supported to:

- develop a greater understanding of child on parent violence

- to develop practical strategies you will be able to use in your home

- to understand how best to meet the needs of your child

- to understand how best to meet your own needs

- think about how you can create strong support networks

This training session sits within a series of courses offered by Adoption UK in partnership with Adoption South East that supports parents and carers to deal with aggressive and/or violent behaviour in the home. The courses are designed to work as building blocks and should be completed in the following order:

Managing Anger & Defiance: Practical Solutions

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

Child On Parent Violence

Above & Beyond Child On Parent Violence: Peer Learning Programme

Non- Violent Resistance

You do not need to attend all courses (you can start at any point) and can select the course(s) that best meet the needs of your family.

If you are unsure about which course best meets your needs, please email [email protected]

5th March 2023 09:30- 15:30
17th April 2024 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session)

Trauma Informed Parenting: Peer Learning Programme

This course will explore the different kinds of trauma Previously Looked After Children may have experienced and the impact this has on their brain development and consequently their behaviour. The course supports parents to develop their knowledge and understanding of parenting strategies that can be used for children who have experienced developmental trauma and detail specific ways in which they can support their children, their partner and/or extended family.

The course also explores the impact of caring for challenging children on the wellbeing and mental health of parents.

Course participants have the opportunity to learn from and create a support network with their peers in a supportive and relaxed environment.

This course is 8 weeks long and participants are asked to commit to attending all 8 sessions.

All sessions run 19:30- 21:00

6th March 2024
13th March 2024
20th March 2024
27th March 2024
17th April 2024
24th April 2024
1st May 2024
8th May 2024

Practical Trauma Informed Parenting Strategies

This course will help to support parents whose children's capacity to emotionally connect has been compromised. The course will provide an introduction to the following areas: blocked trust, fearing intersubjective connection, the role of shame, hidden Vs expressed attachment needs

In addition, course participants will learn about: attachment theory, understanding attachment in context , the impact of trauma and neglect  and adaptive behaviours.

Course participants will leave with lots of practical examples of how they can support their child(ren).

12th March 2024 09:30- 15:30
18th April 2024 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session)

Managing Anger & Defiance: Practical Solutions

This training course allows participants to focus on practical strategies to use in the home.   

 This training addresses re-parenting the child in the context of parenting ‘attitude’ and allowing parents to see their role as therapeutic parents, working to avoid re-triggering their child’s trauma and encourage engagement and reciprocity. 

The course will look at strategies from the perspective of an understanding of anger, both the child’s and the parent’s anger, and its origin in fear.  

This course is the first in a series of courses offered by Adoption UK in partnership with Adoption South East that supports parents and carers to deal with aggressive and/or violent behaviour in the home. The courses are designed to work as building blocks and should be completed in the following order:

Managing Anger & Defiance: Practical Solutions

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

Child On Parent Violence

Above & Beyond Child On Parent Violence Peer Learning Programme

Non- Violent Resistance

You do not need to attend all courses (you can start at any point) and can select the course(s) that best meet the needs of your family.

If you are unsure about which course best meets your needs, please email [email protected]

28th March 2024 09:30- 13:00
25th April 2024 09:30 -11:30 (Follow Up Session)

FASD Support & Networking Group

Are you a parent or carer of someone who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol?

Do you want to know more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group.

11th March 2024 20:00- 22:00

To register, please click on the Book Courses link at the top or bottom of this page.

APRIL 2024

Children Who Struggle At School- Primary Age Children

This one- day course examines some of the possible causes of behavioural challenges and school-related difficulties. 

It will help you to consider how behavioural difficulties impact on relationships, teaching and learning in the classroom.  The course will also help you to understand how your own experiences of education may affect the way in which you support your child.

Working with an experienced Education Mentor, you will be supported to develop effective strategies to work alongside your child's setting so that they are well supported in school. 

16th April 2024 09:30- 13:30

Children Who Struggle At School- Secondary Age Children

This one- day course examines some of the possible causes of behavioural challenges and school-related difficulties. 

Working with an experienced Education Mentor, you will be supported to develop effective strategies to work alongside your child's setting so that they are well supported in school. 

23rd April 19:30- 13:30

MAY 2024

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

This is a peer- learning training programme for parents and carers focussing on managing challenging behaviour and supporting parents to develop practical strategies to use in the home.

Managing Anger & Defiance: Practical Solutions

Managing Anger & Defiance: Peer Learning Programme

Child On Parent Violence

Above & Beyond Child On Parent Violence: Peer Learning Programme

Non- Violent Resistance

You do not need to attend all courses (you can start at any point) and can select the course(s) that best meet the needs of your family.

If you are unsure about which course best meets your needs, please email [email protected]

This course is 8 weeks long and participants are asked to commit to attending all 8 sessions.

All sessions run 19:30- 21:00

6th May 2024
13th May 2024
20th May 2024
3rd June 2024
10th June 2024
17th June 2024
24th June 2024
1st July 2024

Getting Ready For Placement

This course is only suitable for approved and waiting adopters.

9th May 2024 09:30- 13:30

FASD Support & Networking Group

Are you a parent or carer of someone who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol?

Do you want to know more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group.

14th May 2024 20:00- 22:00

To register, please click on the Book Courses link at the top or bottom of this page.

JUNE 2024

Keeping In Touch: Supporting Your Adopted Child To Maintain Links With Their Birth Family

During this training course, you will examine the experience of contact from the perspective of the child, the birth family and adoptive parents.  You will have the opportunity to:

Consider the purpose, benefits and difficulties associated with contact. 

Explore how contact can be used to assist with the child’s identity formation. 

Appreciate how contact can be supported and improved. 

Consider contact in the context of tracing and reunion.

3rd June 2024 09:30- 13:30
1st July 2024 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session)

Talking About Adoption: Secondary Age Children

The purpose of this course is to help you gain insights and resources that will help you to talk about your child(ren)’s adoption with them in an age-appropriate and responsive manner.  

By the end of the training session you will have: 

Examined the importance of talking with and explaining to our children about their adoption. 

Identified age-appropriate explanations linked to a child’s developmental age.

Practised telling and explaining in a variety of situations. 

Shared ideas and identified resources to support our telling and explaining about adoption. 

Developed your understanding of how a child’s development of a positive sense of identity can be supported by parents through life story work.

Explored resources and developed practical, age-appropriate ways for carrying out life story work.

10th June 2024 09:30- 13:00

How Does Your Child Experience The World? An Introduction To Sensory Integration

This one-day workshop will enhance the participants knowledge of developmental trauma and attachment and enable you to: 

Recognise the effect of trauma on development. 

Define Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). 

Understand the symptoms and effects of SPD and be able to distinguish these from trauma-triggered behaviours. 

Explore the different available therapies to help our children cope with SPD.

12th June 2024 09:30- 14:30

JULY 2024

FASD Support & Networking Group

Are you a parent or carer of someone who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol?

Do you want to know more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group.

15th July 2024 20:00- 22:00

To register, please click on the Book Courses link at the top or bottom of this page.

TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS

Adoption: What Do Professionals Need To Know?

This session will be an introduction to the world of adoption, focusing on the realities of adoptive life with a focus on learning from the families themselves. With a discussion- based approach and centralising the voice of the child and the family, the session is both instructive and interesting.

Aims:

Provide an insight into adoption for professionals for whom adoption is not their specialism.

To offer a reflective space to consider the specifics of practice when families have experience adoption, separation, trauma and loss.

An opportunity to develop cultural competence: gain knowledge & understanding of the cultural context of adoptive families’ lives, to improve care.

This training is running on the following dates:

27th September 2023 10:00- 12:00

18th January 2024 10:00- 12:00

22nd May 2024 10:00- 12:00

Book Any Of The Courses Here

Please email [email protected] for further details.