November 2020 - Date and Venue to be confirmed
The aim of this course is to understand the legislative and regulatory framework relating to special guardianship orders and connected persons assessments, equipping participants with the knowledge and understanding to deliver robust and well-evidenced assessments which highlight strengths, vulnerabilities and identify support needs.
Course Information:
Family Matters: Special Guardianship and Connected Person Assessments
When special guardianship orders (SGOs) were introduced in 2005, it was to ensure that children could be offered stability by living with existing foster carers or friends and family members. There has been a huge increase in the use of SGOs, including for young children, with accompanying professional concern that assessment and support has not been as robust as it could be to ensure children have the best outcome. This led to new SGO Regulations in 2016.
The aim of this course is to understand the legislative and regulatory framework relating to special guardianship orders and connected persons assessments. The course will also reflect upon the availability of the Adoption Support Fund for children who will be subject to SGOs and how support plans can be used to address vulnerabilities.
Participants will reflect upon serious case reviews undertaken by multiple local authorities, identifying messages and learning for best practice within special guardianship order assessments. The focus will be considering the critical factors in successful placements in order to deliver strong and thorough assessments.
Using attachment theory and the secure base model assessment tools for the analysis of risk and protective factors will be explored.
The course will allow participants to apply learning in order to deliver robust and well-evidenced assessments which highlight strengths, vulnerabilities and identify support needs. Attendees will develop a greater understanding of how considering support needs and funding can improve the outcomes for children who are or will be placed with carers, friends or family members.
The course will involve a mixture of presentations and group work, with a focus on interaction and information available to take away to support assessment work.
Course Details
The day will begin at 9.30am for registration and tea/coffee, with a prompt 10.00am start, and will end at approx 4.30pm.
A light lunch will be provided. Please advise of any allergies or dietary requirements of each individual when booking places on this course.
An electronic certificate of attendance will be provided to all attendees by email after attendance at the course. This course equates to seven learning hours.
Your Trainer
Charlotte Jenkins
Charlotte is a qualified social worker who has worked for 15 years in the children and families field. She has in-depth knowledge of the needs and requirements of looked after children, having worked extensively with fostering, adoption and SGO regulations. Charlotte implemented such regulations during her time as team manager, assisting a team of social workers to deliver robust assessments.
Charlotte has extensive working knowledge of attachment theory and developmental trauma and the implications for children when considering permanence; including identifying the child’s needs, assessing prospective carers, delivering support plans, considering placement with siblings, contact arrangements and life story work.
