“This course is invaluable for foster carers, adopters, panel members, teachers, health visitors etc.  It is delivered in a frank, humorous and down to earth way!” Denise Roberts, Training Officer North Wales Adoption Service

Trauma Triggered Behaviour in Looked After and Adopted Children - impact on children and their carers is a new and innovative workshop designed and delivered by Helen Oakwater which will: 

• Help participants understand the impact of early life experiences of children who become adopted or "looked after"
• Connect infancy trauma and maltreatment to brain functioning, current behaviour and the need for therapeutic reparenting
• Develop strategies to recognise and ‘hold’ the child’s emotional needs in a way that is safe and rewarding for both the child and carer.
• Explore how “the body keeps score”, the development of sensory triggers and need for truth telling and reframing
• Include theoretical models, practical strategies, interactive group work, discussion, ‘being real’ and laughter.

Click here for dates, locations & flyers

It will be useful for:
Δ  adoptive and foster parents
Δ  social workers, teachers, therapists, medics
Δ  those making decisions about childrens futures

Comments from previous workshops:

• Helen uses accessible language to get across complex information.
• I have masses to take back and use in practice; the effect of trauma upon a child in all areas, the need for children to have a coherent narrative and the psychological effects of trauma for everyone who is close for children who have experienced trauma (secondary trauma).  Thanks.
• Wonderful day!  Very informative.  Raised a lot more questions but that’s good too – as I’ve learnt a lot.
• This will help me work with a foster carer on recognizing what happens to a child’s experience of trauma in early years.
• This material will help me challenge decisions relating to contact issues and the impact contact has on some children whom display trauma triggered behaviour.
• This workshop has given me a greater understanding of the needs of adoptive children, with ways of offering real support. Thank you.
• This course would be useful for child care social workers.
• excellent speaker; interactive
• gave real case examples and shared personal situations.
• great to have a personal opinion of someone who has been there.
• memorable and very credible given the background and personal experience of the speaker.
• very thought provoking
• her presentation was lively and informative, combining theory and personal experience!

Due to its success in Wales and London in 2011 this workshop is being offered throughout the UK in 2012, administered by BAAF Cymru.