CPD listing

Understanding the Emotional Needs of Care Leavers (CPD2)

Children leaving public care are some of the most vulnerable in our society. Whilst many care leavers are resilient and lead successful lives, there are too many who are struggling with poor outcomes such as unemployment, homelessness and mental health problems.

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The course will explore the effects of pre-care, in-care and post-care experiences on the emotional and psychological development of care leavers. Although having a lot in common with other young  people going through adolescence, there are a  number of key differences for care leavers on their journey  to adulthood.

This course is designed to provide a theoretical understanding of the psychological challenges facing care leavers as well as an opportunity to reflect on and develop professional practice with this group of young  people.

Aims

The course aims to help participants:

1) Develop an understanding of the emotional and developmental needs of care leavers

2) Understand adolescence as a stage of development particularly the psychological tasks facing 16 -21 year olds

3) Critically reflect on and improve your practice

Dates

Thursdays, over twelve weeks, from 20 September to 6 December 2012.

Week 1, Week 6 and Week 12 will run from 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Weeks 2 - 5, 7 - 9 and 11 will run from 10.00am - 1.00pm.
Week 10 is designated Study Leave.

Week 1, 20 september
Introduction
Beginnings - the importance of early experience
An overview of good & poor practice with care leavers
A secure base - attachment theory and its implications for looked after children.

Week 2, 27 September
Understanding adolescence as a stage of development
 

Week 3, 4 October
Loss and separation
 

Week 4, 11 October
Identity and belonging
 

Week 5, 18 October
Dependence and independence

Week 6, 25 October
Refugees
Ethnicity and difference

Week 7, 1 November
Sexuality

Week 8, 8 November
Risk and the organisational context
 

Week 9, 15 November
Emotional Impact of the Work
 

Week 10, 22 November
Study Leave (no session)
 

Week 11, 29 November
Care Leavers Perspective
 

Week 12, 6 December
Endings, review & evaluation