About this course
We have received a grant for this course which can be used by post-adoption social workers employed in UK services. You must meet this requirement to book a place. If you do not meet this requirement, your place will be cancelled.

This two half-days course aims to introduce post-adoption social workers to the therapeutic principles of working with adoptive families with children in the early years. The first half-day covers child development in the early years, the impact of early separation, loss and trauma on young children, and the role of attachment relationships in shaping both children’s and parents’ experiences of their journey to adoption. The second half-day will introduce mentalization as a helpful tool for engaging with adoptive parents, particularly when faced with the strong feelings aroused in children, parents and professionals by the adoption process.
- Aims of course
- Understanding of developmental tasks for children under 5 and how this might be impacted by experiences of separation and loss/developmental trauma
- Supporting practitioners to look at the child’s and parents’ journeys to adoption through an attachment lens
- Introducing mentalization as a useful tool in supporting adoptive families
- Practising applying mentalization to current cases
- Who is this course suitable for?
UK post-adoption social workers.
- System requirements for online training
The online platform Zoom will be used to deliver this training. Prior to booking on, please ensure you meet the system requirements so you're able to join this training.
Before the training, please test your equipment is working by going to Zoom.us/test and follow the instructions.
- Two half days
The Anna Freud Centre brings together those with a stake in the mental health of children and young people. Please subscribe to our mailing list to receive a bi-monthly e-newsletter and occasional updates about the Centre's training and events.