The Churchill Fellowship - Update 3 (Down the rabbit hole)

"Oh, you need to speak to someone I know in................."

Now I've started speaking to people for real I feel like Alice in Wonderland disappearing down the rabbit hole, in a good way of course. 

When all us Fellows met in July we were told of the serendipity that often occurred when meeting people who would then open the door to someone who would be able to open another and so on. 

Well, it's clear that doing the Fellowship online puts that serendipity on steroids. Over the last 10 days I've spoken to the US thrice, Canada once, been pointed back to Ireland, hopped over to New Zealand and directed to Australia and back to the US. Each person is generous in relation to the time and energy they give me, also they have all agreed to be recorded as part of my 'audio appendices'.

Themes are starting to emerge across cultures, what families want and what they can have. Who is doing the work and if they're in the system outside of it. 

I'm taking a little time off now then back to the US and perhaps a little sojourn into Europe. 

Thank you to all everyone who has given their time so far. If you've a contact in some far flung land or closer to home then do email me at info@alcoates.co.uk

PS. I can't be too sure but think I was speaking to someone in Mexico this week, they were definitely Mexican though. I should have asked. 

Safeguarding Families In Adoption Online Conference 24th Sept 9:30 to 1pm

 

Safeguarding Families In Adoption Online Conference 24th Sept 9:30 to 1pm

Involvement with safeguarding systems is difficult for all families and can often be stressful upsetting and incredibly challenging. Of course, we need systems to keep children safe but many adoptive (and Foster, SGO and Kinship) families find that children who have lived thought early adversity, are incredibly vulnerable and have been through the Looked after System can often be drawn back into safeguarding processes. Services can struggle to manage the complexity and many families feel that the system need to be reconsidered understanding all that is known. 

So,

Join Fiona Wells, founder or PATCH, and me for a virtual event focused on safeguarding families in the adoption on 24th September 2024 9:30 to 1pm. We will be considered in current practice, impacts on parents and children and future practice. It will all be recorded and available afterwards and even if you can only join us for a short period you're welcome. 

 You can book tickets here. 

Speakers

Sarah Johal MBE - National Adoption Strategic Lead for Adoption England

Vicki McKeown - Social worker & Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

Fiona Wells - Adoptive Parent, Adult Adoptee, Social Worker & Author of the "Adoption Crisis' Report and founder of PATCH

Al Coates MBE - Adoptive parent, Social Worker and Founder of the Adoption & Fostering Podcast

The event will be recorded and available to listen to afterwards if you can't make the whole morning.

Background

A significant number of households formed through adoption often struggle to care for and manage the needs of their children. These struggles often escalate into crises, with parents finding it difficult to support their children and manage their complex needs and behaviors. During these challenging times, the support systems in place can fall short.

This online event aims to explore the context surrounding these issues, identifying and examining fundamental factors and consideration of how the adoption system and family support services can better respond to all members of the family. The goal is to ensure that families are kept safe, strengthened, and able to maintain positive home environments.

You can book tickets here.