Adoption Services for Adults are offering a series of workshops for adoption support workers in October and November 2017. These workshops, taking place The Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes are designed to meet the needs of adoption support workers who work with adopted adults and birth relatives of adopted adults.

Complete this online booking form and email to jan@adoptionservicesforadults.org.uk to book your place on to any of the workshops listed below.

All workshops are facilitated by Jean Milsted, a social worker with many years’ experience of working with adults affected by adoption and Jan Shine, an intermediary and freelance trainer with many years’ experience of working with adults affected by adoption.

Training Day A: Access to birth records, birth records counselling and access to information

Overview
This workshop covers the statutory obligations of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and the differences between birth records counselling, access to birth records and access to information. It also explores the emotional impact of the work, both on the adopted adult and on the self.

Who should attend?
Social workers and social work assistants who may be undertaking this work under the supervision of an experienced social worker with at least three years’ experience of adoption work.

Dates
Monday, 23 October 2017, Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes Cost: £150

Training Day B: Intermediary work with birth relatives and adopted adults

Overview
This workshop explores the personal and professional skills required to deliver an effective intermediary service and provides opportunities to practise these in a safe environment. It also covers ways of making initial approaches using different media and dealing with expectations and complex issues.

Who should attend?
Social workers, social work assistants and others who are conducting intermediary work under the umbrella of a registered adoption support agency.

Dates
Tuesday, 21 November 2017, Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes Cost: £150

Training Day C: Intermediary services for descendants and other prescribed people

Overview
This workshop is designed to build confidence in working in this new area of post-adoption support. It covers the legal underpinning of and processes involved in working with descendants and other prescribed people. It also explores the emotional aspects of this work, and provides opportunities to practise preparing to share the news of the death of a relative separated through adoption.

Who should attend?
Social workers and others who are conducting intermediary work under the umbrella of a registered adoption support agency who wish to acquire knowledge about the new legislation. NB: this workshop is not suitable for those without prior experience of intermediary work unless they have attended Training Day B.

Dates
Wednesday, 22 November 2017, Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes Cost: £150

Training Day D: Access to information for post-commencement adoptions (adoptions from 30/12/2005)

Overview
This NEW workshop looks at the differences between working with pre-commencement and post-commencement adoptions in terms of access to and sharing of information and intermediary practice. The legal underpinning and emerging processes will be covered as well as skills practice in sharing difficult information.

Who should attend?
Social workers and others who may be undertaking this work under the supervision of an experienced social worker with at least three years’ experience of adoption work who wish to build confidence in this area.
NB: this workshop is not suitable for those without prior experience of birth records counselling/access to information unless they have attended Training Day A.

Dates
Tuesday, 24 October 2017, Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes Cost: £150

Visit the Adoption Services for Adults website for more information on available services.