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This workshop is presented by Alison, an adoptive parent and GP, along with Alan Burnell OBE, co-founder of Family Futures, and Michael, Child Psychotherapist at Family Futures.
This workshop took place on 20 October 2023 at the Family Futures 25th anniversary conference: Contact in Context.
A Note on Language: At Family Futures, we recognise that language is constantly evolving. While we now use the term “Keeping in Touch” to better reflect the nuance of maintaining family links, please note that this video was recorded when the terminology “Contact” was standard. As such, the speakers refer to “Contact” throughout the recording.
Alison discusses, in this workshop, her family’s recent experience of her daughter making contact online with both of her birth parents without Alison’s prior knowledge, and how she and her husband with the help of professionals managed to unscramble the situation.
Alan and Alison discuss the role of the therapist, social worker and other professionals in managing this complex situation and what support is needed to help young people when they are ready to contact birth family members.
Main themes and discussion points:
- when there is no time for life story work before contact to put the relationships in context
- how to gain the positive participation of all parties
- the facilitation of the reunion and contact
- follow up post the contact, and therapeutic support
You can also purchase the following recordings from the conference as individual videos to watch:
Keeping in Touch, Lived Experience Keynote – presented by Dee, an adoptive mother and Family Futures therapist with her daughter Cassie, an adopted young adult.
Keeping in Touch with Kinship Families – presented by Geoff Hudson, Social Worker at Family Futures, and Michelle Hall, a special guardian, speaking about her research in this area, her experience of contact, and the challenges involved.
Keeping in Touch with Siblings – presented by Julia, an adopted young person, and Jay Vaughan MBE, Clinical lead, with Karlien Smith-Claassens, Senior Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist from Family Futures.
