Hearing the child in adoption and fostering

Date:               Friday 14 June, 2019

Venue:            Double Tree by Hilton, Dundee

The focus this year will be the child in the permanence process. We will discuss creating an environment where children feel able to speak out; where their views and needs are valued and how adults and systems can adapt to keep our focus firmly on the child’s perspective. Legal principle, research findings, medical knowledge and good practice insight will inform and support delegates in contributing to a process which is truly child centre.

Speakers will include:

The Rt Honourable Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session

Professor Judith Masson, world renowned academic will talk about her recent research study on outcomes for children from care proceedings.

Dr Katherine Edward, Chartered and Clinical Psychologist, KEE Consultancy  A child psychologist with many years’ experience working with children and appearing as a witness to assist courts in reaching child centred decisions. Katherine will give an insight into this work and the importance of her role.

Thomas Carlton, Practice Support Manager, Independent Care Review Secretariat  A care experienced adult who will provide a unique perspective of his professional and personal observations.

The day will again be chaired by Lynda J Brabender QC, who specialises in family and child law and public law as it relates to children.

To download a booking form please click here

Facilitators:     Rhona Pollock & Helen Johnstone

Date:               Monday 25 March, 2019

Venue:             The Salutation Hotel, 34 South Street, Perth then

                         Perth Sheriff Court, Tay Street, Perth               

Registration:     09.00am

Start Time:         09.30 – 4.00pm - (refreshments & lunch will be provided)

This workshop is a FIRST. It will provide delegates with the opportunity to learn about being a witness and then actually putting that learning into practice on the day in Court. Delegates will spend the morning finding out about what is required of them as witnesses and studying a case scenario; lunch will be provided in the hotel and then delegates will walk 100yards to Perth Sheriff Court where a court room has been set aside for a mock proof to take place. Delegates will give evidence, being examined and cross examined by both Rhona and Helen. The “Court” will then make a decision based on the evidence heard.

This will be an informal, supportive and informative day giving workers the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for Court appearances. It will be suitable for anyone who is ever called as a witness and wants to make the Court experience as effective and painless as possible.”  For further information and a booking form please click here

A workshop for new adoption and fostering panel members

Facilitator:     Ravinder Kaur         

Date:             Tuesday 18 June 2019

Venue:          Apex Haymarket Hotel, Edinburgh

Cost:             Member Rate £110.00 + VAT

The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 provides the overarching framework for adoption and fostering panels in Scotland. Panels make key recommendations which affect the lives of children, foster carers and adopters. Many of these recommendations have life-long consequences for those involved. It is therefore important that panel members have both an understanding of the role of panel as well having an opportunity to consider their contribution to this process. This workshop will reflect the updated Effective Adoption and Fostering Panels in Scotland good practice guide.

This workshop is aimed at new adoption and fostering panel members, panel advisers and it may also be of interest to new medical and legal advisers.  To download a booking form please click here

This unique course is aimed at social workers and managers in children and families’ teams, family placement teams as well as other specialist settings across the statutory, voluntary and independent sector. Applicants will require the support of their employer to attend as well as validate their work. It is imperative that sponsoring agencies ensure their nominated students have the motivation, capacity and commitment to complete the course.

The course will be delivered alongside the validation process from Strathclyde University at MSc Level 11 and once validated will attract an award of 60 credits (postgraduate certificate) which can be taken forward to further study. Agencies will need to be confident that their nominated student can study at master’s level.

The introductory session for students and their managers will be on the 3^rd June 2019. The course requires attendance at three taught modules of three consecutive days per module between June 2019 and October 2019. Assessment will be based on assignments as well as a ‘training for trainers’ assessment. Comprehensive feedback is available to students. A student handbook will provide all the required information.

Course description

Module One:              The Kinship Care Context in Scotland

Module Two:              The Child in Kinship Care

Module Three:           Assessing and Supporting Kinship Carers

Course dates                                                               Venue              Cost    

Module One:             10,11 & 12 June 2019            Edinburgh       £2,745 + VAT  =     £3294.00

Module Two:             19, 20 & 21 August 2019                                                              

Module Three:          28, 29 & 30 October 2019                                                                      

 For further information, please download the flyer here    

For an application form, please download here