Mental health issues for children who are fostered or adopted – workshop 26th September 2012

Our latest Fostering and Adoption workshop focusing on ‘mental health issues for children who are fostered or adopted’ took place yesterday morning at Exeter Racecourse. The event was lead by our Director of Child and Parenting Services, Dr Maxine Tostevin, and Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr Emma Greatbatch.

Emma and Maxine used the 3 hour session to define mental health problems for children (explaining how they differ from other difficulties) and also to look at what happens in the brains of children during their early development.

They also explored a number of particular issues that children who are fostered or adopted are faced with, such as development disorders and some of the problems people experience in accessing support services.

The workshop allowed us a fantastic opportunity to meet with social workers from organisations such as Five Rivers Child Care, Pathway Care and Barnados, as well independent social workers and local authorities from all around the south west.

We were delighted to read the responses and comments from the morning. Feedback and requests for additional training about ‘PACE’ and for us to run the workshop as a full day event were greatly received. Comments like these are integral to our training team as we use it to shape the future sessions which we offer.

This event really was just an insight into the complex area of fostered and adopted children and in our half day session it was only possible to give an overview of the issues. We do however have many other sessions on our agenda, including some smaller focused workshops. We therefore encourage everyone to keep an eye on our website which we update regularly with up and coming training and events.

Thank you again to everyone who attended and we look forward to meeting you again soon!