An Introduction to the Therapeutic Principles of Working with Adoptive Families with Children in the Early Years

About this course

This course is funded by HEE. You must meet the two requirements below to book a place:

Occupation: Social Worker

Employed by: Third sector or public sector service based in London or South East

This 2 half day 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 mentalisation 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 mentalisation as a useful tool in supporting adoptive families
• Practising applying mentalisation to current cases

Who is this course suitable for?

Post-Adoption Social Workers in London/ South East