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 SEPTEMBER 2023 Trauma Informed Parenting: Peer Learning Programme This 8- week 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 September 2023 13th September 2023 20th September 2023 27th September 2023 4th October 2023 11th October 2023 18th October 2023 1st November 2023 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). 6th September 2023 09:30 -12:30 19th September 2023 09:30 -12:30 17th October 2023 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session) 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). 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). 8th September 2023 09:30- 15:30 16th October 2023 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] 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). 25th September 2023 09:30- 13:00 9th October 2023 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session) 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 28th September 2023 5th October 2023 12th October 2023 19th October 2023 2nd November 2023 9th November 2023 16th November 2023 23rd November 2023 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 Gemma- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD. You can read more about Gemma here: Gemma Bio Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group. 18th September 2023 20:00-22:00 To register, please click on the Book Courses link at the top or bottom of this page. OCTOBER 2023 Child On Parent Violence: Secondary 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] 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). 12th October 2023 09:30- 15:30 10th November 2023 09:30- 11:30 (Follow Up Session) Siblings: Peer Learning Programme This is an 8-week peer- learning training programme for parents and carers focussing on supporting siblings within your family. This training will help you to develop practical strategies to use in your 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 and reciprocity. Delivered by a highly experienced adoptive parent and trainer, this course enables parents to develop their knowledge and understanding as well as having time and space to learn from their peers. This course is suitable for families who may already have more than one child at home, for parents who may be considering expanding their family where there is already a child in the home or for prospective adopters considering adopting a sibling group. This course is 8 weeks long and participants are asked to commit to attending all 8 sessions. All sessions run 19:30- 21:00 9th October 2023 16th October 2023 30th October 2023 6th November 2023 13th November 2023 20th November 2023 27th November 2023 4th December 2023 NOVEMBER 2023 Parenting Our Children This is a research-based, 12 session programme of support starting in October for parents to gain an understanding of their adopted children’s needs, particularly developmental trauma, and to receive valuable peer support. This is for parents of children before they reach the teenage years. 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. 1st November 2023 10:00- 13:30 8th November 2023 10:00- 13:30 15th November 2023 10:00- 13:30 22nd November 2023 10:00- 13:30 29th November 2023 10:00- 13:30 6th December 2023 10:00- 13:30 10th January 2024 10:00- 13:00 17th January 2024 10:00- 13:00 24th January 2024 10:00- 13:00 31st January 2024 10:00- 13:00 7th February 2024 10:00- 13:00 21st February 2024 10:00 13:00 This is an ASF- funded course. 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. 3rd November 2023 09:30- 13:30 Above & Beyond Child On Parent Violence: Peer Learning Programme Training for families that struggle with violence in the home. Child on parent violence is an area which is increasingly recognised as a major factor in the breakdown of adoption and foster care placements. This peer learning group is specifically designed to help you and your family develop strategies for families to de-escalate child on parent violence (CPV). This course will look in depth at: Understanding of child on parent violence Development of practical strategies in the home Meeting the needs of the child Meeting needs of parents Managing anxiety and stress Building support structures 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 14th November 2023 21st November 2023 28th November 2023 5th December 2023 12th December 2023 19th December 2023 9th January 2024 16th January 2024 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. 7th December 2023 09:30- 14:30 Talking About Adoption: Primary 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. 8th December 2023 09:30- 13:00 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 Gemma- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD. You can read more about Gemma here: Gemma Bio Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group. 17th December 2023 20:00- 22:00 To register, please click on the Book Courses link at the top or bottom of this page. 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 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 Gemma- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD. You can read more about Gemma here: Gemma Bio 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). 6th 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. 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). 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] 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). 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). 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). 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] 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). 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)? 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 Gemma- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD. You can read more about Gemma here: Gemma Bio Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group. 18th 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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. 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)? 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 Gemma- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD. You can read more about Gemma here: Gemma Bio Your child does NOT have to have had a diagnosis of FASD for you to attend this support group. 22nd 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. 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). 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. 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)? 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 Gemma- an experienced adopter who has lived experience of parenting a child with FASD. You can read more about Gemma here: Gemma Bio 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. Back to Top Manage Cookie Preferences