Sibling assessments: beyond together or apart

This open course will offer a comprehensive approach to undertaking sibling assessments. It will explore who the key contributors to sibling assessments are and how assessors can plan assessments and engage these contributors in the process. Most importantly it will explore how to gain the views of the children, observe sibling interactions and draw conclusions on the quality of sibling relationships as well as focusing on the individual needs of each child and of the sibling group.

No two children or their families are the same. The most critical aspect of any staying in touch plan post adoption is that it allows for individual needs and situations. This course is an opportunity to consider what we know about staying in touch from research, including what works well, the voices of those with lived experience, and aspects that may present challenges or need more support. It will include what to consider in putting together an individual flexible plan which allows for changing circumstances, and can reflect the changing needs of the child throughout childhood, teenage years and beyond.

This half day course is aimed at professionals who work with children and families who may benefit from a therapeutic intervention and would like to increase their understanding of different therapeutic approaches. Foster carers, kinship carers and adoptive parents who are considering different options for therapeutic support may also benefit from this training.

This open course will enable adoption and fostering panel administrators to examine related legislation and share best practice though group discussion and practice application.

This two-day open course will provide practitioners and particularly those who may be new to undertaking adoption assessments with an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and practice in completing adoption assessments.