An event for domestic and adoptive parents of children, teens and young adults.
An Adoption is a life changing event for all involved. The importance of recognising and embracing the complexity of this truth, and the lifelong impact of adoption will be the focus of Barnardos Post Adoption Services all day event for adoptive parents this November.
Through all the ups and downs families may face, staying connected with their child is a theme that comes up again and again in our work with adoptive families.
At this event, we aim to give domestic and internationally adoptive parents an opportunity to meet other parents, and to get advice and support around different aspects of adoption, such as:
- Managing school
- Supporting friendships and relationships
- Talking about adoption at different stages and managing contact or search
- How identity changes over time
We will also have an opportunity for parents of young adopted adults to connect as we are aware of a big cohort in this age group.
Guest Speaker: Dr Joanna Fortune
Dr Joanna Fortune will be joining us on the morning of the event as a keynote speaker. Joanna is a well known author and psychotherapist specialising in the parent-child relationship. She is the Country Lead for Theraplay in Ireland and is the current Board President for the Theraplay Training Institute globally. She is also a regular media contributor to a variety of newspaper, radio and TV shows.
Joanna’s area of clinical specialisation is in trauma and attachment, specifically in using the context of a safe and healthy relationship to begin trauma recovery and attachment repair work. Joanna will speak to this during her presentation, which will include practical and accessible theory and playful activities attendees can start practicing at home.
Joanna works from infancy right up to adulthood in her practice and has worked with many adoptive families. She has been a friend to our service going back to the launch of her children’s service and would have shared ideas and learning with the much missed Christine Hennessy going back to that time.
Cost
To cover the cost of the event there is a charge of €50 per person. This will include a lunch and refreshments through the day.
If any adoptive family are prohibited from attending due to the cost they are welcome to contact us at [email protected] in confidence to discuss.