Adoption and fostering Books

Book SynopsisThe need to belong is a fundamental and human motivation yet many children and young peopleâs experiences of belonging are ruptured across many domains. This essential book explores the different spaces in which children and young people belong and shows how we can cultivate a sense of belonging within our services, schools, communities, and within children themselves.Chapters break down key research and introduce practices which will inspire change, develop a trauma-informed culture, and show how a relational web of belonging can be built for life. Drawing from the lived experiences of those who have spent time in care, the book highlights everything you need to deepen your understanding of the impact of trauma, inequity and marginalisation in childrenâs services and education. Advocating for the power of language, leadership, and collective care, a working conceptual model for cultivating belonging is shared, which considers the âfacesâ, âspacesâ and âplacesâ that can make

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Book SynopsisGovernment-by-proxy and intergovernmental relations profoundly affect the public administration of foster care. Using examples from foster care systems in the states of Delaware, Michigan, New York, and Rhode Island, Rebecca Padot eloquently combines a rigorous methodology and theory work to expose the conditions under which foster care outcomes can be improved. The cases selected suggest that the federal government has increased its focus on measuring the performance of state programs while simultaneously decreasing its funding of state foster care programs and offering the states very little management or mentorship. Padot turns the page and recommends administrators place a greater priority on building community partners, integrating the advice of mentors, providing leadership from public managers, and cultivating relationships with the federal government.An original and timely resource for scholars and practitioners, this book represents a significant contribution to our Table of Contents1. A Public Administration Framework for Foster Care 2. A Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection Approach 3. Delaware: A Small State with Stronger Performance 4. New York: A Larger State with Weaker Performance 5. Rhode Island: A Smaller State with Weaker Performance 6. Michigan: A Larger State with Stronger Performance 7. Case Research Results and Implications for Increasing Effectiveness 8. Improving Foster Care

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Book Synopsis''Mum and Dad. Gone?'' asked Louisa.''Yes,'' I nodded. ''They''re gone.'' After a horrific car crash, thirteen-year-old Louisa is left fighting for her life in hospital. She wakes to find that her loving, happy family has been shattered overnight, with both of her parents now dead. With no one to care for her, Louisa is entirely alone. Britain''s most-loved foster carer Maggie Hartley is called in to help Louisa cope with her devastating new life. Can Maggie find a way to bond with Louisa, overwhelmed with anger and grief? Or will she regret making decisions that will affect both her and Louisa for the rest of their lives?A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.''Excellent read. Didn''t want it to end'' 5* Amazon reader review

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Book SynopsisWhen Maggie''s latest placement arrives on her doorstep, it is clear that Sean, Dougie and their big sister Mary have been through unspeakable traumas in their short lives. Violent and malnourished, the siblings have been left to fend for themselves by their drug-addicted parents. Maggie must use all of her skills and experience as a foster carer to help these damaged siblings to learn to be children again. With much love, care and patience, their behaviour gradually starts to improve and social services start looking for a forever family for them. But alarm bells start to ring when Maggie meets the couple who have been matched to adopt the siblings. It is clear that they''re looking for the perfect, ready-made family, and they''re not going to get it with these vulnerable brothers and sister. Despite raising her concerns with social services, Maggie is powerless to prevent the adoption from going ahead and she must put aside her own fears to help the siblings settle in with

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Book SynopsisSpecial Guardianship and Adoption Handbook is a comprehensive, accessible guide to special guardianship and adoption law for all children and family law practitioners. It provides essential advice at all stages of representing clients: at the office, drafting, negotiating and conducting court hearings. This new book provides: * a comprehensive overview of special guardianship and adoption orders, and how they fit together; * practical, step-by-step guidance on drafting and procedure; * updates on key developments and changes to the processes, procedure, and outcomes in the law; * workflow diagrams and flowcharts explaining special guardianship and adoption law procedure; * details of important regulations and the most recent and significant court decisions. This book is essential reading for anyone who needs to understand the complexities of these two orders and how they tie in within private and public law proceedings.Table of Contents1. Historical perspective and need for change; 2. Special Guardianship Orders - The Essential Facts; 3. Special guardianship orders and Section 8 Children Act 1989 orders; 4. Special guardianship and assessment processes; 5. Special guardianship orders - financial and other support services; 6. Special guardianship - families moving local authorities; 7. Special guardianship and the court timetable; 8. Special guardianship - practical steps in case management; 9. Developments surrounding special guardianship orders; 10. Legal representation and funding for special guardianship; 11. Special guardianship orders - variation, discharge and co-existing with care orders; 12. Adoption - historical perspective, freeing and placement orders; 13. Adoption orders - The essential facts; 14. Routes to adoption orders; 15. Adoption and special guardianship - inheritance implications; 16. Adoption - financial and other support services; 17. Adoption Agencies Regulations - panels and processes; 18. Adoption and the court timetable; 19. Contested adoption applications - post-adoption contact, and long-term foster care; 20. Adoption and special guardianship orders. Appendices.

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Book SynopsisFrom understanding what adoption is, through to step by step guidance on the entire process and the challenges that come up along the way, this is the only book you will need to read on adoption.Written by an author who was adopted herself, who has looked after over twenty children and who works with a fostering and adoption agency that deals specifically with breakdowns, this book will teach you how to confidently navigate the system and build a strong and lasting relationship with your child.Whilst very much being the unvarnished truth, this is an empowering guide that will ensure you feel in control and know where to turn to for help no matter what:With a positive attitude and the right tools, adopting a child can be very rewarding - don't try to overthink it, don't try to love, just do right by them and as you learn about each other the love, kindness and acceptance will grow.Trade ReviewLouise's experience from both sides of the adoption process will help parents understand the potential challenges as well as the joys of adopting children. * Kim S. Golding CBE, Clinical Psychologist *This book leaves you fully informed, fully armed, fully prepared to offer the support, the healing and love that will be needed. * Helen Bonnick, Holes in the Wall *From coping with childhood trauma to compiling a life story for your child, this book is a practical handbook that offers useful advice for adopters at every stage of the journey. * We Are Family *A very moving, passionate and a clear guide which all adopters would benefit from. It is packed full of important ideas, lots of excellent information and refreshingly good and sound advice. * Jay Vaughan, CEO Family Futures *

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Book SynopsisChildren who have experienced trauma, loss or separation early in life need more than just special care and attention; they need to be parented with love and security in a way that allows them to heal and rebuild emotional bonds. This comprehensive book provides parents and carers with crucial advice and guidance on how to strengthen attachment and trust.Based on Dan Hughes' proven 'PACE' model of therapeutic parenting, this book explains how to implement PACE techniques to overcome the challenges faced by children who struggle to connect emotionally. Barriers to stable relationships such as a lack of trust, fear of emotional intimacy, and high levels of shame are all explained. It explores techniques to overcome these barriers by teaching how to support the child's behaviour at the same time as building empathy and trust.The practical parenting guidance offered throughout is essential for carers or parents of troubled children, and will help build safe, secure emotional relationships.Trade ReviewKim offers us realistic and pragmatic strategies to care for our children that are grounded in the reality of our daily lives and our children's worldview. An essential read for parents of children who have experienced trauma, loss and separation. -- Al Coates, adoptive parent, Social Worker, Blogger at 'Misadventures of an Adoptive Dad' and podcasterThe use of practical examples and case studies enables therapeutic parents to apply the PACE model effectively. A must-have addition for all therapeutic parents' bookshelves! -- Sarah Naish, adoptive parent, CEO National Association of Therapeutic Parents and author of the Therapeutic Parenting children's seriesIn this important book, Dr Kim Golding provides us with the guidance needed to understand and develop relationships with children and youth who desperately need them in order to have success and joy in their lives. -- from the foreword by Dan Hughes, psychologist and founder of Dyadic Developmental PsychotherapyTable of ContentsIntroduction. Section 1: Understanding challenges of parenting. 1. Blocked trust: I cannot believe you love me unconditionally. 2. Fear of the intersubjective relationship: I cannot let you influence me. 3. Shame: I need to hide from you. 4. Hidden and expressed attachment needs: I only feel safe when I hide as well as express my needs for support from you. Section 2: Therapeutic parenting. 5. Increasing the capacity to be mind-minded to support therapeutic parenting. 6. Building connections through parenting with PACE. 7. Parenting in the moment: Supporting behaviour through connection with correction. Section 3: Looking after yourself. 8. Learning from the past: understanding yourself through an exploration of your attachment history. 9. Blocked care: losing the joy in parenting. 10. Developing self-care. Reading list. Glossary.

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Book Synopsis· What is trauma?· How does it affect children?· How can adults help?Providing straightforward answers to these complex questions, The Simple Guide to Child Trauma is the perfect starting point for any adult caring for or working with a child who has experienced trauma. It will help them to understand more about a child's emotional and behavioural responses following trauma and provides welcome strategies to aid recovery. Reassuring advice will also rejuvenate adults' abilities to face the challenges of supporting children.Trade ReviewIn this accessible, enlightening little book, Betsy de Thierry recognises both the need to advocate for young people who have experienced trauma and to resource the adults in homes and schools who care for them. Emphasising the need for compassionate, relational responses to these often misunderstood young people, Betsy offers an array of practical strategies and insights to enable those responses, whilst conveying her core subject with confidence and clarity. An important, generous and timely publication. -- Louise Michelle Bombèr, Strategic Attachment Lead Teacher & TherapistAs a parent myself I have found this book to be such a useful tool. To have a basic understanding of how the brain works has given me greater confidence as a parent in handling my children calmly and remaining empathetic even when I don't always understand the reasons behind their behaviour. I value the comprehensible and practical tips that are listed in this book of how you can develop the connection and healing relationship with the child in your care. It's beautifully written with such profound insight that is essential for any caring person working with children. -- Dannii Gray, ParentThis book is easy to read using plain, clear language - free of jargon. It has really helpful suggestions that could be used in both professional and home settings. -- Liz Hall, Parent and Police Child Protection Investigator and TrainerSimplifying and condensing the complex world of childhood trauma into tangible, easy to grasp terms, de Thierry shows her mastery of the field in this handy guide. Her conversational style translates the neuroscience of trauma into supportive, concrete steps that any helping adult can apply to the children in his or her life. Empathy for the reader and patience for these vulnerable youth are ever-present as de Thierry herself models the restorative power of relationships. Such a hopeful and comforting read! -- Kendra Morris-Jacobson, Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC)What this 'simple guide' does elegantly and quickly is bring a large amount of research - from psychology, social work, neuroscience, biochemistry and genetics - directly to the busy but interested professionals, parents and carers working in this field. It translates complex ideas into 'practice-rich' language for adults who need to understand the inner worlds of children, rather than simply explore their 'wishes and feelings'. -- From the foreword by Professor David Shemmings OBETable of Contents1: Understanding trauma. 2: The impact of trauma. 3: Helping a child become calm. 4: Frustrating behaviour from traumatised children. 5: Key approaches to help children recover. 6: Important things to consider when offering support. 7: Getting your head around different therapies.

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Book SynopsisToday Sophie Spikey has a very big problem. She has lost her shoes, again! There is no way she is asking her mum for help, though. I can fix it all by myself, she thought.Sophie did not have an easy start in life and now she cannot trust grown-ups to help her. Luckily, her new mum is good at guessing when Sophie needs a helping hand. Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who did not like asking for help), this is a story for children functioning at age 3-10.Trade ReviewThis set of books all deal with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children. Difficulties are introduced through characters who behave in ways that children can identify with. The text is simple, humorous and with illustrations that grab the reader's attention. The books could be used in many ways but I would see them as a springboard for adults (adoptive parents, social workers or carers) to begin to talk to children about feelings and behaviours. Read aloud, the stories may enable children to recognise that they are not alone and that other children also struggle. It is often difficult for parents or carers to know where to start in talking about these issues. This set of books provides a way of doing this without blaming the child. These books should be available in every adoption agency for use by social workers or to be lent to parents. -- Professor Julie Selwyn CBE, Director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, University of BristolSophie Spikey Has a Very Big Problem has helped my foster daughter with similar issues of not wanting to ask for help. She relates to Sophie very well and I have found it very helpful. She now asks for this book to be read to her. -- Sharlene, Foster Carer, Australia[These therapeutic parenting books] are the most valuable books on my book shelf. In my 11 years of fostering I have read many books, but these are different. They are people friendly but real - they are written by someone that has been through looking after traumatised children and who better to offer help, theories and guidance. Sarah has written her books simply which means the traumatised children respond to the characters and can express themselves through the books. I will be offering my copies to everyone that comes into my home to read...well done Sarah Naish and all involved... -- Foster CarerI love Sophie Spikey. She is so real! I can see little bits of her in several children I have fostered. The fact that she can't tell Mummy she has lost her shoes is sad - I can almost feel the feelings Sophie has myself! I bought a copy to use with future foster children and packed a copy for the 2 year old who was just leaving my care for adoption. -- Gill Powney, Foster CarerExcellent books! I have recommended them to every foster carer/adopter/professional I know! Our kids love them, and enjoy the fact that Sarah and Rosie 'get it'. 5 out of 5 stars. -- JS Bradley, AdopterIt is a precise and straightforward way of giving you other parenting techniques. It is written in the right amount of detail without making it complicated. -- S L McCueTable of ContentsSophie Spikey Has a Very Big Problem. A note for parents and carers, from the authors.

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Book SynopsisCharley Chatty likes to talk. Charley talks so much that her mouth gets dry but there's just so much to say!"Why is the pavement brown?""I have got two shoes. Everyone has two shoes.""I can hear the radio. Who is on the radio? Why is there a button on the radio?"Sometimes, Charley's imagination takes over and she tells stories about things that didn't really happen. She doesn't mean to but she likes how it makes her feel important and the wiggly worry worm inside her belly goes away. Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who also liked to tell tales), this is a story for children functioning at age 3-10.Trade ReviewThis set of books all deal with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children. Difficulties are introduced through characters who behave in ways that children can identify with. The text is simple, humorous and with illustrations that grab the reader's attention. The books could be used in many ways but I would see them as a springboard for adults (adoptive parents, social workers or carers) to begin to talk to children about feelings and behaviours. Read aloud, the stories may enable children to recognise that they are not alone and that other children also struggle. It is often difficult for parents or carers to know where to start in talking about these issues. This set of books provides a way of doing this without blaming the child. These books should be available in every adoption agency for use by social workers or to be lent to parents. -- Professor Julie Selwyn CBE, Director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, University of Bristol[These therapeutic parenting books] are the most valuable books on my book shelf. In my 11 years of fostering I have read many books, but these are different. They are people friendly but real - they are written by someone that has been through looking after traumatised children and who better to offer help, theories and guidance. Sarah has written her books simply which means the traumatised children respond to the characters and can express themselves through the books. I will be offering my copies to everyone that comes into my home to read...well done Sarah Naish and all involved... -- Foster CarerExcellent books! I have recommended them to every foster carer/adopter/professional I know! Our kids love them, and enjoy the fact that Sarah and Rosie 'get it'. 5 out of 5 stars. -- JS Bradley, AdopterTable of ContentsCharley Chatty and the Wiggly Worry Worm.

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Book SynopsisToday Rosie Rudey has had enough! "Rosie, put your coat on, it's cold outside.""Rosie, bring your sandwich box to the kitchen, please." "Rosie, stop being nasty to your brother."LEAVE ME ALONE, she thought. Rosie did not have an easy childhood which has made her build a hard shell around herself so no one can get in. Luckily her new mum knows just how to help soften Rosie's hard exterior.Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who was also a bit prickly), this is a story for children functioning at age 3-10.Trade ReviewThis set of books all deal with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children. Difficulties are introduced through characters who behave in ways that children can identify with. The text is simple, humorous and with illustrations that grab the reader's attention. The books could be used in many ways but I would see them as a springboard for adults (adoptive parents, social workers or carers) to begin to talk to children about feelings and behaviours. Read aloud, the stories may enable children to recognise that they are not alone and that other children also struggle. It is often difficult for parents or carers to know where to start in talking about these issues. This set of books provides a way of doing this without blaming the child. These books should be available in every adoption agency for use by social workers or to be lent to parents. -- Professor Julie Selwyn CBE, Director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, University of Bristol[These therapeutic parenting books] are the most valuable books on my book shelf. In my 11 years of fostering I have read many books, but these are different. They are people friendly but real - they are written by someone that has been through looking after traumatised children and who better to offer help, theories and guidance. Sarah has written her books simply which means the traumatised children respond to the characters and can express themselves through the books. I will be offering my copies to everyone that comes into my home to read...well done Sarah Naish and all involved... -- Foster CarerExcellent books! I have recommended them to every foster carer/adopter/professional I know! Our kids love them, and enjoy the fact that Sarah and Rosie 'get it'. 5 out of 5 stars. -- JS Bradley, AdopterTable of ContentsRosie Rudey and the Very Annoying Parent. Note for parents and carers, from the authors.

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Book SynopsisWilliam Wobbly is having a very bad day. He didn't want to go to school and when he got there things just got worse. The wobbly feeling got bigger and bigger and BIGGER until...Something happened to William Wobbly when he was very little which makes it hard for him to understand or control his feelings. Luckily, his new mum is here to help with his wibbly wobbly feelings. Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who used to have a lot of wobbly feelings), this is a story for children functioning at age 3-10 who struggle with sensory overload.Trade ReviewThis set of books all deal with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children. Difficulties are introduced through characters who behave in ways that children can identify with. The text is simple, humorous and with illustrations that grab the reader's attention. The books could be used in many ways but I would see them as a springboard for adults (adoptive parents, social workers or carers) to begin to talk to children about feelings and behaviours. Read aloud, the stories may enable children to recognise that they are not alone and that other children also struggle. It is often difficult for parents or carers to know where to start in talking about these issues. This set of books provides a way of doing this without blaming the child. These books should be available in every adoption agency for use by social workers or to be lent to parents. -- Professor Julie Selwyn CBE, Director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, University of BristolInspired brilliance, I hope there's a string of sequels.The perfect aid to reach out. -- Amazon Reviewer, 5 starsBrilliantly applicable for children with attachment difficulties or FASD. It not only helped my child to 'name his feelings' but gave me the right words to say to him - inspired and inspiring. I cannot wait to see the others in this series. Adoption and foster teams should keep them in stock for their carers! -- Amazon Reviewer, 5 starsAfter reading the William Wobbly book I used the information and terminology given to connect to my foster daughter. She was amazed that I could not only put into words, but that I could describe and understand how she was feeling. -- Marita Beardow, Foster Carer, Early Years Lecturer/Assessor, DerbyshireThanks to the William Wobbly book our little one has started to verbalise what those feelings in her tummy and head are, telling us her head feels very busy and she also recognised when her brother, who also has attachment disorder, was feeling wobbly. Huge breakthrough in our house! All thanks to your books. Can never thank you enough. -- Nicola Meikle-Green, Step Parent, West YorkshireI have just read William to my daughter, who has responded by saying "I get that wooshy feeling too." I wanted to shout "breakthrough" from the rooftops. In fact I think I will in a minute. Thank you so much. There is so much power finding the right words in a book for children. One happy mummy. -- Parent, AustraliaWilliam Wobbly arrived today. We read it before bed. Our normally bouncy daughter listened very carefully and would cuddle closer with each page. At the end she asked, "Is that real?" I told her it was a story written by a girl who had the same wobbly feelings that she sometimes has. She lunged forward, gave me a kiss, and said "I love you!" I assured her that she has a Mom who is going to help her with those feelings. -- M Swofford, Adopter, AmericaWhen mine arrived I read it to my guardian daughter and she liked it and read it again just now. She connected the wobbly feeling with being frightened and how she feels at pre-school. She's only 3 but emotionally younger. Brilliant book and I'm so pleased she was able to make the connection. Well done Sarah and Rosie, you're helping so many little ones and parents/carers. -- C Steed, Special Guardian[These therapeutic parenting books] are the most valuable books on my book shelf. In my 11 years of fostering I have read many books, but these are different. They are people friendly but real - they are written by someone that has been through looking after traumatised children and who better to offer help, theories and guidance. Sarah has written her books simply which means the traumatised children respond to the characters and can express themselves through the books. I will be offering my copies to everyone that comes into my home to read...well done Sarah Naish and all involved... -- Foster CarerExcellent books! I have recommended them to every foster carer/adopter/professional I know! Our kids love them, and enjoy the fact that Sarah and Rosie 'get it'. 5 out of 5 stars. -- JS Bradley, AdopterTable of ContentsWilliam Wobbly and the Very Bad Day. Note for parents and carers, from the authors.

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Book SynopsisThrough words, pictures, photographs, certificates and other 'little treasures', a Life Story Book provides a detailed account of the child's early history and a chronology of their life. Fully updated, this clear and concise book shows a unique family-friendly way to compile a Life Story Book which promotes a sense of permanency for the child, and encourages attachments within new families. Joy Rees' influential model works chronologically backwards rather than forwards, aiming to reinforce the child's sense of belonging and security before addressing the child's past and early trauma. The book contains simple explanations of complex concepts, practical examples, helpful suggestions and includes some simple checklists. This new edition has been expanded to include fostered children and those living in kinship care or with a special guardian. Perfect for social workers, adoption agencies, adoptive parents, foster carers and kinship carers, Life Story Books for Adopted and Fostered Children is a refreshing, innovative and common-sense guide.Trade ReviewJoy Rees has the gift of explaining theoretical concepts in a straightforward and jargon-free manner and of empowering adults - whether social workers, adopters or foster carers - to feel confident in tackling what is a complex and sensitive task. Joy's book is a practical guide and includes a wealth of examples of ways to frame sad and difficult stories without leaving the child feeling responsible. -- Jeanne Kaniuk OBE, Managing Director, Coram AdoptionThis book has been my go-to guide in terms of constructing family friendly life stories since its publication - I'm thrilled to see that this second edition broadens the scope to include children in foster care or special guardianship arrangements, as well as adoption, as Rees' model fits them perfectly. Busy practitioners will love the selection of sensitively written sample stories that will prove invaluable in ensuring all children who need them have timely access to a child-friendly life story book - a book that their adopters and carers will use with confidence to support their children to integrate their histories. -- Katie Wrench, Co-author 'Life Story Work with Children who are Fostered and Adopted' (JKP, 2013) and author of 'Helping Vulnerable Children and Adolescents to Stay Safe – Building Protective Behaviours' (JKP, 2016)Table of ContentsForeword. Introduction. Chapter 1. A New Approach. Chapter 2. A Life Story Book is Not... Chapter 3. A Different Perspective. Chapter 4. The Inner Child and Subliminal Messages. Chapter 5. Involving Adoptive Parents. Chapter 6. Compiling a Life Story Book. Chapter 7. Sample Life Story Books. Chapter 8. Final Thoughts. References. Further Reading. Index.

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Book SynopsisTheraplay® is an attachment-focused model of parenting that helps parents to understand and relate to their child. Based on a sequence of play activities that are rooted in neuroscience, Theraplay offers a fun and easy way for parents and children to connect. Theraplay is particularly effective with looked after and adopted children.By providing an overview of Theraplay and the psychological principles that it is based on, parents and carers will gain an understanding of the basic theory of the model along with practical ideas for applying Theraplay to everyday family life. Through everyday case studies and easy language, parents will gain confidence and learn new skills for emotional bonding, empathy, and acceptance in the relationship with their child.Trade ReviewViv and Helen clearly bring the tried and tested Theraplay principles to parenting. This book gives many ideas and clear structure to help all parents provide an emotionally rich and connected parenting environment. -- Kim Golding, consultant clinical psychologist and author of Everyday Parenting with Security and LoveWhen family life has become a struggle, this book can show exhausted, demoralised parents the way back to having fun together, while repairing damage and building trust in their wounded child in the process. -- Ann Bell, Director Wales/Cyfarwyddwr Cymru, Adoption UKUnderstanding and bringing to life the many ideas contained in this book will be of great value to us and to our children. -- Daniel Hughes, Ph.D. Founder of Dyadic Developmental PsychotherapyThis is a tranquil book where the reader is led by the hand and yet the practical ideas and accessible knowledge gifted to the reader, light up the brain like a Christmas tree. -- Veronica Read, Group Analyst and Educational Consultant and author of Developing Attachment in Early Years Settings and Building Positive Relationships with the Parents of Young ChildrenWritten in a helpful, kind and practical way that doesn't make you feel as though you need to be a super-parent 24/7. As the authors say, Theraplay is about giving hope and increasing joy and their book does that with bubbles, feathers and face paints on. -- Sally Donovan, author of The Unofficial Guide to Adoptive Parenting and Billy Bramble and The Great Big Cook OffTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Foreword by Phyllis Booth (Co-founder of Theraplay). Foreword by Dafna Lender (Programme Director, The Theraplay Institute). Introduction. PART ONE: What is Theraplay? 1. What is Theraplay? 2. Getting Closer to Your Child. 3. Structure. 4. Engagement. 5. Nurture. 6. Challenge. PART TWO: Everyday Examples. 7. Using Theraplay to Help with Everyday Transitions and Change. 8. Thinking About Behavioural Issues. 9. Putting it all together. 10. Description of Theraplay Activities. 11. Further Resources.

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Book SynopsisWilliam Wobbly is having lots of wobbly feelings one morning but his mum is so busy that she doesn't notice. William Wobbly's worries worsen when he notices small changes at school. "Where's my real teacher?!" he wonders. He hides under his desk and he chews holes into his jumper, but even that doesn't take the wobbly feelings away. Luckily, his mum is here to help him cope when he's afraid.Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who used to have a lot of wobbly feelings), this is a story for children aged 3-10 with problematic coping habits.Trade ReviewThis is a wonderful book for an audience hungry to see themselves in books and to find both their challenges and possible resolutions being shown -- Gayle Swift, co-founder of GIFT, who provide family coaching for adoptive families in America, and author of ABC, Adoption and MeMy 6 year old now understands and tells me when he is feeling 'wobbly like William -- Katie Munro, ParentTable of ContentsWilliam Wobbly and the Mysterious Holey Jumper. Notes for parents and carers

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Book SynopsisCallum Kindly is a kind and caring boy, who lives alone with his mum. That is until Katie Careful comes to stay with them who Callum thinks is a very weird child!Katie manages to get in the way whenever Callum wants to speak to his mum or have snuggle time. She cries and sulks on his birthday and she steals his toy car. Luckily, his mum can explain to him why Katie acts differently.Written by an adoptive mum and her daughter, this is a story that explains what it's like for children aged 3-10 living with foster or adopted children, or with new children in the family.Trade ReviewA much-needed resource to support birth children in fostering families. Through the character of Callum Kindly, they will recognise the mixed feelings often experienced in sharing their family with children who have had difficult and traumatic life experiences -- Dr Heather Ottaway, lecturer in Social Work with Children and Families, University of BristolThis [series of therapeutic parenting books] deals with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children... These books should be available in every adoption agency for use by social workers or to be lent to parents." -- Professor Julie Selwyn CBE, Director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, University of BristolThis is me, Mummy, I feel like that, I am not the only one, Mummy -- Beth, aged 9[The therapeutic parenting series] are the most valuable books on my book shelf -- Foster carerTable of ContentsCallum Kindly and the Very Weird Child. Notes for parents and carers.

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Book SynopsisKatie Careful has just moved in with her siblings and their new parents. Even if she's sad or scared, she smiles and smiles to try and hide her wobbly feelings.She clings on to her Mum's leg and won't let go and she even follows her to the toilet, banging on the door to remind her that she's there. Luckily, her Mum understands why Katie acts this way. Written by a mum who understands and her daughter, who is adopted, this insightful story will help your whole family to feel a bit better.

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Book Synopsis· What are attachment difficulties?· How do they affect children?· How can you help?This book provides clear and concise answers to these important questions - and more.Much more than just a simple introduction to the subject of attachment, the book is also full of advice and practical ideas you can try. It tackles some challenging questions, such as 'what is the difference between trauma and attachment?', and explains how having an understanding of attachment is only part of the overall picture when it comes to caring for traumatized children. It is an essential read for any adult parenting or caring for a child who has experienced attachment difficulties.Trade ReviewOut of a complex field of study De Thierry's latest works have delivered prime knowledge that is easy-to-grasp. This simple guide will increase confidence to supportively approach attachment difficulties and through its easily applied teachings will play a powerful role in strengthening relationships. A must read for anybody working with children and caregivers. -- Ben Rockett, PhD, Research PsychologistThis book is easily digestible yet manages to cover the well researched topic of attachment brilliantly. As a nursery owner I will be ensuring my team read this and as a mum of three boys, I have taken the guidelines and easily accessible advice laid out in the book and reflected on my own parenting techniques that can so easily be tweaked to ensure stronger and more positive attachments with all three of my children. Thank you Betsy. It's great that someone has taken the time to digest these huge topics and present them so that we all may have a positive impact on children's lives. -- Charlotte Lucas, parent, owner and founder of Free Rangers Nursery, UKTable of Contents1. What is attachment? 2. How does an attachment grow stronger? 3. The brain science around attachment. 4. The safe place and co-regulation. 5. What is an unhealthy attachment style? 6. Anxious, controlling or helicopter parenting. 7. Attachment trauma. 8. A healing adult relationship. 9. Resilience, bad days and top tips!

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Book SynopsisThis innovative book brings together a wide range of therapeutic approaches, techniques and models to outline recent developments in the practice of supporting children in out-of-home care. It sheds light on the significance of schools, sports and peer relationships in the lives of traumatized children. It also draws particular attention to the vital importance of taking into account children's cultural heritage, and to the growing prevalence of relative care.Each chapter is set out by acclaimed and world-renowned contributors' specific approach, such as Dan Hughes and his work on conceptual maps and Cathy Malchiodi and her research on creative interventions, and gives practical ways to support children and carers. It also includes contributions from Bruce Perry, Allan Schore and Martin Teicher. This comprehensive volume will open new avenues for understanding how the relationship between child and carer can create opportunities for change and healing.Trade ReviewFinally, a book that successfully addresses all of the complex bio-psycho-social-developmental consequences of early trauma! Therapeutic Care treats the embodied and encultured mind at each stage of life in a way that leverages the way the brain evolved to heal - in security and safety. Highly recommended. -- Louis Cozolino Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Author of The Neuroscience of Human RelationshipsThe Handbook of Therapeutic Care is a wonderfully practical and readable guide for all of us dedicated to creating pathways to health for children exposed to chronic trauma and abuse - children who are stuck in an inner world filled with helplessness, chaos and danger. Despite the multiplicity of voices of (outstanding) contributors, this handbook provides a unified synthesis of practices that help us understand the pressures from the past on current behavior, and presents a comprehensive and well-tested model to provide sensory, relational and emotional repair for children and young people who carry the legacy of danger, abandonment, and unpredictability. This is the integration we have been waiting for. -- Bessel A. van der Kolk MD, Medical Director, the Trauma Center, Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Author: NYT best seller: The Body keeps the Score; mind, brain and body in the healing of traumaTable of Contents1. The Need for a New in the Care and Support of Children in Foster, Relative and Adoptive Care. 2. What are the Key Elements of Therapeutic Care? 3. Understanding the Needs of Vulnerable Children: The Importance of Type and Timing of Maltreatment on Brain Development and Risks (Martin Teicher and Orgilmaa Munkbaatar, Belmont MA). 4. The Fundamental Role of the Mother in the Interpersonal Neurobiological Origins of Mutual Love (Allan Schore, Northridge CA). 5. "Support and love and all that stuff": Evidence of impact in the Treatment and Care for Kids Program (Lynne McPherson and Kathomi Gatwiri, Coolangatta and Bilinga, Australia). 6. The Neurosequential Model: A developmentally-sensitive, neuroscience-informed approach to clinical problem solving (Bruce Perry, Chattanooga, TN). 7. Dabakan kooyliny - go slowly, walk slowly, go together: Culturally Strong Therapeutic Care for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Children, Families and Communities (Glenda Kickett and Shaun Chandran, Perth, Australia). 8. Children in Kinship Care: Issues for Promoting their Mental Health (Elaine Farmer and Meredith Kiraly, Bristol, UK and Victoria, Australia). 9. Therapeutic Care Teams: Horizontal Teams in the Vertical World of Out of Home Care (Noel MacNamara, Banora Point, Australia). 10. Defining the conceptual maps that resource the day to day interactions between carers and children to become more therapeutic (Daniel Hughes and Jonathan Baylin, South Portland, US and Wilmington, US). 11. Resetting the fabric of love: Real life applications that promote emotional connection in the day to day experience of looked after and adopted children and their parents (Kim Golding, Malvern, UK). 12. Expressive Arts Therapy as Self-Regulatory and Relational Interventions with Children and Caregivers (Cathy Malchiodi, Louisville, US). 13. Therapeutic Care as it Evolves.

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Book SynopsisWritten by experienced clinicians, this book provides an exploration of how educators can easily use Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) to help vulnerable pupils to thrive.DDP is an intervention model for children and young people who have experienced trauma in past relationships. Safety and security is increased through offering emotional connection in a variety of ways, helped by the attitude of PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy). The model gives children the opportunity to experience the relationships necessary for healthy development, emotional regulation and resilience. This book gives educators all the tools they need to embed DDP into their practice, including building connections with students, partnerships with parents, understanding the theory behind DDP, and overcoming the challenges of implementing it in practice. These principles can be adapted to support pupils at all levels.

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Book SynopsisTherapeutic parenting is not your usual parenting style. It's a special, specific way to raise kids who have experienced trauma in their past, and requires a lot of commitment and determination - this is about far more than love and care.But where do you start?This book is the ideal first step for anyone who wants to understand how therapeutic parenting works. It offers simple summaries of the key ideas behind it, fully illustrated throughout with informative cartoons and graphics. Over 40 different issues are covered, from dysregulation and fear, to setting boundaries and parenting in the midst of trauma.The perfect introduction for new therapeutic parents, family members, teachers or other adults who need to help support you and your child, this Quick Guide will also be a source of inspiration for more experienced parents.Trade ReviewUsing light-hearted analogies and their wealth of first-hand knowledge, Sarah Naish and Sarah Dillon encourage us all to see the behaviour of children with developmental trauma in a whole new light. This accessible Quick Guide is a source of enlightenment, comfort and hope for all parents and professionals. It will help us to discover what the authors describe as 'the hidden path', so we can translate and see behaviour as a means of communication and in doing so support healing. For the sake of the increasing number of children with developmental trauma, everybody needs to tread this path. -- Daniel Thrower, CEO and Anne Oakley, Attachment Lead, The Wensum Educational Trust, NorwichWhat an amazing book! I read through each part and can easily put children's names to the behaviours that are explained. It's funny, serious, passionate reassuring and very helpful to any Therapeutic parent. The way it is written makes it ideal for a quick ten minute read/reminder for specific behaviours or a longer introduction for less experienced TPs. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and sure that it will help thousands of other parents. -- Jen Dalby, Therapeutic parentTable of ContentsAcknowledgments. 3Introduction Sarah Naish. 31 WHY DO OUR CHILDREN DO THE THINGS THEY DO?!41 The Unskilled Pilot - (A lack of trust)52 The Spider Parent- (Fear of adults)73 My Friend the Spider- (Staying safe)104 The Automatic Car- (Illogical behaviours)125 The Plane Crash (part 1) - (Impulsiveness)156 The Deal Breaker -(Breaking promises)187 The Land of Now- (Unable to link cause and effect)208 The Crumbling Wall - (Hidden disabilities)232 RAISING PENGUINS. 269 Penguins Don't Fly- (Our children are different)2710 The Messy Nest (Destruction)3011 The Girl Who Wouldn't Try - (Self sabotage)3212 Squeezing the Glass- (Over controlling)3513 The King of the Castle (Traditional consequences don't work)3714 Lie Tennis- (Lying)4015 The Apprentice Who Wasn't Sorry- (Fake apologies)4316 The Lift - (Unintended consequences)463 IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS - The Unhelpful Others. 5017 The Goldfish -(Risk averse practice)5118 The Measuring Stick - (Judgement from others)5419 The Cart - (Our burden)5720 The Ostrich Teacher- (Unhelpful schools)6021 The Snowflake Parent- (Unhelpful others)624 PARENTING IN THE TRAUMA TORNADO.. 6422 The Eye of the Storm- (Managing chaos)6523 The Elephant- (Staying kind)6724 The Steam Train- (Keeping on track)6925 The Rude Wind- (Responding to rudeness)7126 The Conductor - (Controlling behaviour)7427 The Missiles- (Responding to arguing)7728 The Cliff Top- (Keeping boundaries)7929 The Inquiry Lie- (Honesty)825 SAFER PARENTING- Therapeutic Responding. 8430 The Needle on the Record- (Changing our responses)8531 The Plane Crash Part 2- (Unable to calm)8732 ACE Detective- (Working out what is behind the behaviour)9133 The Frightened Dog- (Connecting in a crisis)9434 Sharing the PIE- (Sibling rivalry)9635 The Shame Pit- (Overwhelming shame)10036 The Escalator - (Natural and logical consequences)1036 WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!10637 The Trap Door -(Triggers)10738 Trauma Pancakes- (Multiple issues surfacing)11139 The Jigsaw Child- (Why sabotage happens)11440 The Smoke Detector- (Unexpected behaviours)11741 The Monster in the Cupboard - (Difficult quiet times)1197 THE OVERWHELMING NEED.. 12242 The Two-year-old Psychopath- (Lack of empathy)12343 The Pet Spider- (Being controlled)12644 Memory Beach- (Memory issues)12945 The Hand-Grenade- (The 'trouble-maker')13246 The Car Crash- (Feeling overwhelmed)1348 FILLING THE CUP. 13547 The Empty Cup- (Exhaustion)13648 The Boring Place- (Getting a break)13849 Eeyore Parenting- (Losing hope)14050 The Rabbit- (Isolation)14251 The Empathy Bowl- (Effective listening)1449 HOPE. 14652 The Twisty Turny Steps- (Fear for the future)14753 The Diet Fail- (Having a bad day)14954 Slides and Ladders- (Overcoming obstacles)15155 The Trauma Lake- (Foundations for change)15356 The Hidden Path- (Inspiration)154

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Book SynopsisThis is the go-to guide for practitioners, parents and carers who want to expand their understanding and skills for therapeutic parenting - a deeply nurturing parenting style particularly effective for children who have experienced trauma or adversity.It provides an easy to understand explanation of the latest theory and research in trauma and neuroscience, and explains how these relate to everyday parenting strategies. It provides clarity on complex areas, such as early developmental trauma in children, and insights into key challenges, including managing transitions, sibling relationships, challenging behaviour, the teenage years, and how to find time and space for self-care.With experience, professional expertise, and text features to aid learning throughout, this book is the one-stop shop for everyone wanting to truly understand every aspect of therapeutic parenting and trauma.

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Book SynopsisBased on a hugely successful US model, The Seven Core Issues Workbook is accessible and parent-friendly with brief explanations, activities and exercises. The Seven Core Issues are Loss, Rejection, Shame/Guilt, Grief, Identity, Intimacy and Mastery/Control. The workbook gives parents the ability to explore their own issues as well as their child's through varies experiential exercise and activities. Parents can identify and address their core issues in order to more effectively assist and support the child's core issues.The workbook and its exercises allow for a variety of diverse groups to use the book with ease, making it the essential tool for all individuals to grow and heal themselves and their families.Trade ReviewThis workbook is profound! I couldn't stop reading it and doing the exercises. Thank you, Sharon and Allison, for your amazing insight and understanding of the issues facing our parents. This is an invaluable resource for organizations helping to support kinship, foster and adoptive parents. If I could, I would gift this workbook to every single parent who is parenting a child with loss and trauma. -- Mary M.McGowan, Executive Director of ATTAChThis handbook gave me a much better understanding of what the seven core issues are, enabling me to manage these issues effectively. -- Benny Saville, adoptive father and Chairman, Mishpachta the Israeli adoptive communityThe authors have written a document that can help all parents as they seek to better parent their children, regardless of how each of those children joined their family. This content of the workbook will facilitate many avenues for parents and youth and older children to best use and understand the content - individual learning, informal group discussions and leader led instruction. Magnificent! -- Irene Clements, foster and adoptive parent, past Executive Director of the National Foster Parent AssociationThis thoughtful, experiential workbook is a must for every foster, kinship and adoptive parent. With a deep understanding of the core issues that you and your child face, the authors compassionately guide you on a personal and empowering journey to understand yourself as the way to understand, parent, and meet the needs of your child. This is an incredible, user-friendly book that will help you deal with the "hard stuff" and come out a winner. It will open your eyes, touch you deeply, and change your life and the life of your child and family. So buckle-up, get a little vulnerable, and embrace this self-reflective journey. -- Jill Stowell, M.S., Author and Founder Stowell Learning CentersHighly recommended! This workbook provides a down-to-earth, practical and on-point learning instrument that illuminates the seven core issues. Filled with wisdom and designed to prompt self-exploration, the workbook will serve as a structured guide to awareness and healing. The material is presented in a way that is highly accessible for both parents and kids. -- Betsie Norris, adoptee, Founder and Executive Director Adoption Network Cleveland

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Book SynopsisIf you are in a bad mood, dance. - Tony, owner of the Big Baboon Café and DiscoWe''ve all boiled and fumed and raged and screeched and roared and stamped and thumped. We''ve all had mean words spray out of our mouths. Welcome to planet human!Join Ordinary Jo and friends, who are here to guide you through the strange and curious world of anger. As you read this book, you will discover how dropping an accidental fart can be a bit like dropping a hot, angry temper, how to defend against an Attack of the Angries, and how screaming ''BUMHOLES'' can actually relieve pain!Full of brilliant advice - including a chapter on terrible advice you should take no notice of - this book shows why anger is nothing to be ashamed of, and is a part of being human.

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Book SynopsisBreaking new ground in the areas of attachment and child development, Sue Jennings introduces the concept of 'Neuro-Dramatic-Play' exploring the sensory experiences that take place between mother and child during pregnancy and the first few months after birth. She explains how this interaction, that is essentially 'dramatic' in nature, is of crucial importance for the infant to develop a healthy brain, strong attachments and future resilience.Based on sound experience and observation, this book consolidates current theories of neuroscience, attachment and therapeutic intervention and challenges commonly held psychoanalytic ideas of child development. By expanding on the often narrow view of what is understood by attachment, this book makes a strong case for early years inclusion of play and arts therapies. Neuro-Dramatic-Play is also discussed in relation to fostering and adoption, teenagers and young adults, and children with developmental or cognitive disabilities.This accessible text will interest all therapists and practitioners who work with children and teenagers, including child psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, paediatric and perinatal nurses, paediatricians, child psychiatrists and play and arts therapists, and post-graduate students.Trade ReviewIn this thoroughly engaging book, Sue Jennings delights us once again with her often playful insights into the early years of a child's life...As always, when reading Sue Jennings' Work, I came away from the experience feeling enriched and rewarded, and I strongly recommend this book to anyone who works with children, no matter what their age. -- Children & SocietySue Jennings, in this important new book, breaks new ground in the attachment debate and shows us it is the sensory, playful interactions that naturally occur between mother and child during the first six months of life, that form this bond... Sue Jennings adopts a familiar style of relating to the reader - so that it feels almost that she is rolling up her sleeves and "getting down to it" in the many practical and sometimes surprising ways she describes of applying NDP.So this is a book for mothers, for mothers-to-be as well therapists, psychologists, carers and all the professions that become involved when this healthy bond is not formed. My hope is that this book becomes a core book in the teaching of attachment theory because it has much to contribute to current understanding. I hope its findings reach those government departments who are seeking to find solutions to problems that are the result of failure of individuals to form healthy attachments and that this leads to the funding of NDP projects and a greater trust in the arts therapies in providing effective solutions to these serious problems. -- DramatherapyThis is a must-have book for creative arts and play therapists and another fascinating book from this well-known author. It is especially powerful in providing insight into the importance of a mother's relationship with her unborn baby and their interactions during the first six months of life... The final chapter is essential reading for it is here that Jennings describes how NDP can help professionals in their choices and approach to therapeutic work with children... This chapter would make an excellent text for practitioners to discuss at a networking and support group. The appendix does, however, provide a guide to NDP games and activities suitable for all ages from pregnancy through to adulthood and including embodiment, projection and role (EPR) which sits alongside the NDP approach. An interesting book which combines theory, practical ideas and philosophical debate - I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it. -- Play for LifeJenning's book is easy to read and full of helpful references to other practitioners and ideas for different ways of applying her approach. It is a delightful bringing together of different approaches and captures, under the umbrella of Dramatherapy, attachment work that creatively emulates early mother and child interactions. A must read for anyone working with children who have had a rupture in their early attachment relationships and need help to develop a healthier secure attachment. -- Family futuresJennings provides a refreshing and informative approach to looking at the needs of the new born baby which is innovative and backed up with research. Her contribution in this area is particularly fascinating and insightful and it illustrates so well, the solid foundation of her concepts. -- British Association of Play Therapists MagazineThis is a highly accessible and refreshing text which would be a valuable resource for every therapist's toolkit; and is equally relevant to a wide range of professionals working with children and families. -- British Association of Play Therapists MagazineIn this book, Sue Jennings describes her groundbreaking theory of Neuro-Dramatic-Play. According to this theory, the foundation for a secure attachment is formed by a mother's playfulness with her baby during pregnancy and the first six months of life. Highly recommended! -- Charles E. Schaefer, Ph.D., RPT-S, Professor Emeritus, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ, and Co-founder and Director of the Association for Play Therapy, Clovis, CA.This heartfelt book offers practitioners and parents exceptional guidance about how to engage a baby or child in vital dramatic play as soon as it makes its presence known. Its pages brim with fun activities, sound reflections on their rationale, and above all, with authoritative optimism. -- Dr. Alida GersieIn NDP, Sue Jennings explores the little understood process of the early shaping of the brain on the primitive, unconscious and nonverbal stage of mother-child interactions. On this journey, she brings to bear her considerable experience, solid intuition, and large heart. While most theoreticians tend to become too theoretical in the face of the unknown, Sue Jennings stays grounded in the body, intimate relationships, and moment-to-moment experience - a methodology sorely needed in the synthesis of neuroscience, human development and adult life. I recommend that you take this journey with Dr. Jennings. -- Louis Cozolino, Ph.D. is a professor of clinical psychology and the author of The Neuroscience of PsychotherapySue Jennings emphasises playfulness as a critical component in the early stages of developing attachment relationships and she highlights its contribution to neurological development. She provides a useful introduction to an important area; this book will entice and provide guidance to a range of practitioners, and parents, to engage in creative care of young infants and vulnerable others -- Eileen Prendiville, Director and Core Trainer of Children's Therapy Centre, IrelandAnother fascinating book by Dr Sue Jennings which gives an insight into the importance of a mother's relationship with her unborn child and their interactions during the first six months. NDP builds the foundation for healthy attachment play and compliments the EPR paradigm. Examples of NDP enable the reader to identify what usually comes naturally in the development of healthy attachments. The extensive list of activities, games and interactions suggested by Sue will be invaluable for my therapeutic work in the future. -- Sharon Morgan, Senior Social Work Practitioner and Play TherapistThis book provides a theoretical and practical guide to the role of Neuro-Dramatic Play (NDP) in the development of healthy attachment relationships... As an applied psychologist, one of the main attractions of the book is the extensive grounding in psychology of the NDP approach, drawing on the diverse areas of neuroscience, developmental psychology and play therapy... I found this an accessible and engaging text that would be valuable for a range of professionals, including educational psychologists, especially those with areas of interest/responsibility in early childhood development... Furthermore, new ways of understanding and working with young people with attachment difficulties are highlighted. The optimistic and pragmatic approaches highlighted make this an interesting and positive read. -- Dr Louise Hill, EP * Debate - British Psychological Society *Table of ContentsForeword by Dennis McCarthy. Introduction: Neuro-Dramatic -Play - Its Roots in Attachment and Play, Theatre and Ritual. 1. NDP - Definitions and Theories. 2. NDP and Attachment. 3. NDP - Play and Play Therapy. 4. NDP, Pregnancy and Birth. 5. NDP Childbirth and The First Six Months. 6. NDP and Resilience and Empathy. 7. NDP and Children with Attachment Needs. 8. NDP in Fostering and Adoption 9. NDP with Teenagers and Young Adults. 10. NDP and Children on the Autistic Spectrum. 11. NDP and Children with Learning Difficulties. 12. NDP for Practitioners. Appendix 1 - NDP - 6 Months Before and After Play. Appendix 2 - Embodiment-Projection-Role (0-7 years). Afterword by Mooli Lahad. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisAll children need love, but for troubled children, a loving home is not always enough. Children who have experienced trauma need to be parented in a special way that helps them feel safe and secure, builds attachments and allows them to heal.Playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy (PACE) are four valuable elements of parenting that, combined with love, can help children to feel confident and secure. This book shows why these elements are so important to a child's development, and demonstrates to parents and carers how they can incorporate them into their day-to-day parenting. Real life examples and typical dialogues between parents and children illustrate how this can be done in everyday life, and simple stories highlight the ideas behind each element of PACE.This positive book will help parents and carers understand how parenting with love and PACE is invaluable to a child's development, and will guide them through using this parenting attitude to help their child feel happy, confident and secure.Trade ReviewThe conversational tone between the authors, Kim and Dan, softens the book and makes it very readable... whether you're a parent trying to use this approach, or a therapist looking to increase their clinical skills, reading this book will lead to a better understanding of PACE. -- Youth in MindCreating Loving Attachments is a great guide for parents struggling to address attachment with their children and for families who may be raising foster or adopted children. Almost like looking in a mirror, readers may be able to find elements in their parenting that are on track and others that might need to be tweaked to encourage healthy attachment. This book may work well for families already in therapy with their children so they can get a great understanding of the relationship and attachment building that needs to take place. Easy-to-read, Creating Loving Attachments is a great book for families looking to enhance relationships with their children. -- Adoption TodayThis is a book that permeates with love and compassion for traumatised children. Many Cafcass staff will be familiar with Dan Hughes' work, and Golding has developed this following her experience of his training and integrated it into her own career, which includes developing services for looked after children in Worcestershire. -- CAFCASSCreative Loving Attachments" is a great guide for parents struggling to address attachment with their children and for families who may be raising foster or adopted children. Almost like looking in a mirror, readers may be able to find elements in their parenting that are on track and others that might need to be tweaked to encourage healthy attachment. This book may work well for families already in therapy with their children so they can get a great understanding of the relationship and attachment building that needs to take place. Easy-to-read, "Creating Loving Attachments" is a great book for families looking to enhance relationships with their children. -- Adoption TodayWritten in a deceptively simple and readable way, this book conveys some of the deep truths of close human relationships: above all, the importance of accepting and validating emotions as they are. The examples of parent-child dialogue bring the theory alive and will help many parents to practice parenting in a more effective and mindful way. -- Sue Gerhardt, psychoanalytic psychotherapist and author of Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby's BrainKim Golding and Daniel Hughes have written a jewel of a book. One stellar quality of the writing is the way in which the authors give voice to parents throughout, and also highlight the significance not only of conversations but also attitudes, wording and body postures. In doing so, they carefully show progression into more sensitive, attuned parenting. The authors are compassionate as they address parent's shame and their fears for their children, and they build models that help parents and children achieve resonance, hope, and sharing of their inner worlds. The insight gained by parents and professionals will be invaluable as they read the book. I felt a renewal in my own professional and personal life as I read. Thank you, Dr. Golding and Dr. Hughes for this excellent offering. -- Deborah D. Gray, MSW, MPA, Founder, Nurturing Attachments, and author of Attaching in Adoption and Nurturing AdoptionsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Preface. Introduction. 1. Love: The Essential Ingredient. Story: A Mummy Finds Out How to Look After Her Baby. Section 1. Play. 2. The World of Play. 3. Playful Parenting. Story: The Naïve Buccaneer. Section 2. Acceptance. 4. Acceptance of the Inner World of the Other. 5. Parenting with Unconditional Acceptance. Story: Stripes and the Herd of Wild Horses. Section 3. Curiosity. 6. Curiosity: Finding a Different Perspective. 7. Staying Curious Within Parenting. Story: The Boy with All the Knowledge of the World in His Head. Section 4. Empathy. 8. Empathy: Connecting in the Emotional World. 9. Joining your Child with Empathy. Story: The Farmer and the Queen. 10. Brining it all Together and an Additional Ingredient. References. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisFinally, a parenting book which demystifies the latest thinking on neurobiology, physiology and trauma and explains what the research means for the everyday life of parents of children who hurt.As experts on adoption and fostering who are adoptive parents themselves, Caroline Archer and Christine Gordon explain how this knowledge can help parents to better understand and care for their child. They explain why conventional parenting techniques are often not helpful for the child who has experienced early trauma and explore why therapeutic reparenting is the only way to help repair the unhealthy neurobiological and behavioural patterns which affect the child's development. They do not shy away from how difficult reparenting is, acknowledging how hard it can be to recognise our own fallibility as parents and to change our own parenting patterns. The authors also offer hard-won advice on a range of common parenting flashpoints - from defusing arguments and aggression to negotiating bedtimes and breaks in routine, and making sure that special occasions are remembered for all the right reasons.Reparenting the Child Who Hurts is a humane, no-nonsense survival guide for any parent caring for a child with developmental trauma or attachment difficulties, and will also provide information and insights for social workers, teachers, counsellors and other professionals involved in supporting adoptive and foster families.Trade ReviewThis book provides a useful resource full of relevant information for current adoptive parents and those who may be considering offering a home to a troubled child. -- Young Minds MagazineThis book is full of enthusiasm, written by people passionate and knowledgeable about their subject. The content is excellent, and it is a thoughtful book full of wise and useful advice. -- Youth in MindCaroline Archer and Christine Gordon have clearly researched the most recent literature in neuroscience, trauma, human development, and developmental parenting. [The book features] theoretically sound and well researched information presented in a manner that will be palatable to frustrated and challenged parents.It also provides explicit details of how parents may respond to difficult situations--complete with examples of verbal responses that may be helpful in ameliorating extremely intense situations. -- Extracted from a foreword by Gregory C. Keck, Ph.D., Founder/Director of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio; co-author of Adopting the Hurt Child, Parenting the Hurt Child, and author of Parenting Adopted Adolescents.This exciting new book by the authors of "New Families, Old Scripts" starts from the latest findings on brain development from the field of neuroscience and how this information is central to understanding the principles of "developmentally reparenting" children who have experienced a traumatic start in their early life.The book is both informative, presenting scientific information in an accessible format and instructive, giving countless practical examples and scenarios which can be used by parents and professionals alike.The principles of "developmental reparenting" are spelt out throughout each chapter of the book. Adoptive parents and foster carers are encouraged to look at their own attachment history to make sense of their relationship with their children.Readers are encouraged to "practice" changing their mindset to PARCEL (being playful, accepting, responsive, curious, empathetic and loving) when parenting traumatised children.This book is a great resource for both parents who are parenting vulnerable traumatised children and those professionals who are supporting them. -- Fiona Lettice, adoptive parentThe authors, Caroline Archer and Christine Gordon, are both adoptive parents. The also have years of experience working professionally in adoption services and therapeutic teams... The book is primarily aimed at adoptive parents but would equally be of use to anyone who works with children who have experiences difficult and disrupted early stats to life, such as social workers, teachers and psychologists... The insights provided, which are linked to research, are offered in a way that are positive and reassuring for adoptive families... The appendices and resource section are a veritable gold mine of information... including contact details for organisations that can offer support, practical strategies, hand-outs and a glossary... The text give a comprehensive and insightful view into many of the unique aspect of parenting a child that has experienced trauma and is then place for permanence with an initially unfamiliar family. -- Laura Dunstan, EP * Debate - British Psychological Society *Table of ContentsPart 1. Stepping Forward: Understanding the Foundations. 1. Knitting Your Kid! Patterns of Knitting and Nurturing. 2. Fitting the Pieces Together. Part 2. What Can We Do? 3. Key Concepts. 4. Information: The Need to Know. 5. Laying the Foundations: Co-regulation for Self-regulation. 6. Rocking and Rolling. 7. Seeing Eye to Eye. 8. Object Permanence and Constancy. 9. Talking, Telling, Timing. 10. Loose Connections. 11. The Child Within the Child. 12. Taking, Borrowing and Difficulties with the Truth. 13. Making Changes, Managing Changes. 14. Special Occasions. 15. Holidays. 16. Siblings. 17. Taking Care of Ourselves. 18. Getting Help. Appendices. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisLife Story Therapy is an approach designed to enable children to explore, question and understand the past events of their lives. It aims to secure their future through strengthening attachment with their carers and providing the opportunity to develop a healthy sense of self and a feeling of wellbeing.This comprehensive overview lays out the theory underlying life story therapy, including an accessible explanation of contemporary research in neurobiology and trauma. Featuring tried and tested ideas, with tools and templates illustrated through instructive case studies, the author identifies how life story therapy can be implemented in practice. Finally, the relationships between life story therapy and traditional 'talking' therapies are explored.Life Story Therapy with Traumatized Children is essential reading for those working with children and adolescents, including social workers, teachers, child psychotherapists, residential care staff, long-term carers, psychologists and other professionals.Trade ReviewI found it an easy book to read an would recommend it to peole who work with traumatized children, such as social workers, support workers, and arts therapists. -- DramatherapyThis 188 page book presents very clearly the roots and stages of Life Story Therapy, adequately supported by clear diagrams. As the author explains in the preface: he aims to show how life story therapy can be considered a form of therapy in its own right and to understand the potential of the intervention and find the practice, the theory and the activities useful and creative for your own role and professional approach... This reviewer heartedly agrees with the author's view that templates, computer-generated life story work or "All About Me" books off the shelf should not be used... What may be less familiar is the study of how memories are held within the body. This subject is covered in some very informative pages... Each of these chapters contains a wealth of practical techniques including the HIDE principles, movement boxes, ecomaps, interviewing approaches, question types, the use of "Jenga" (tower blocks), charades, "Feelings" theme chart, "All About Me" books, fact - fiction - fantasy heroism template, the behaviour game, the thinking game and the use wallpaper to paint the journey of the child... For any Certified Play Therapist working with traumatised children this is an essential book to enable you to consider adding Life Story Therapy to your tool-kit. It is also recommended for other qualified members who may be encourage to work with this group of children combining this approach with their existing skills. -- Play for LifeRichard Rose's book will help professionals in many fields (counsellors, social workers, family support workers, teachers and guardians ad litem) to make difference to the psychological lives of children by finding creative and sensitive ways to work with painful parts of children's stories. -- BACP - Children & Young PeopleThe value and power of the Life Story approach to reconstructing and reconnecting a child using personal narrative cannot be underestimated, and the way that Richard Rose lays out the core elements of this approach is both practical and elegant. This is a refreshing and renewing clinical approach that is both developmentally sensitive and "trauma-informed." -- From the Foreword by Bruce D. Perry, Senior Fellow, The Child Trauma Academy, Houston, USAGood practice is promoted throughout this book. Rose's emphasis on careful preparation and information gathering and the use of various techniques, particularly wallpaper work, to help children process and internalise past experiences is inspiring. Involving primary carers in life story sessions to promote attunement and attachment, and highlighting the importance of play in engaging children in this highly sensitive work is an approach others should strive to adopt. -- Joy Rees, Adoption Team Leader, Family Futures Associate and author of Life Story Books for Adopted ChildrenRichard Rose makes a solid case for placing life story therapy alongside other important approaches for working with children who have been traumatized. He emphasizes working through care givers and using sensitive interventions to help the child explore and make sense of his or her past in order to improve current functioning. The book is loaded with specific techniques and guidance so that therapists of all levels can begin using life story therapy immediately in their practice. -- Todd Nichols, Executive Director, Family Attachment and Counseling Center, Minnesota, USA, and co-author of Connecting with Kids through Stories, 2nd editionTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Preface. Foreword by Dr Bruce Perry, Founder and Senior Fellow, Child Trauma Academy, Texas, USA. Part 1. The Roots of Life Story Therapy. 1. Introducing Life Story Therapy. 2. The Developing Brain, The Body, Trauma and Attachment. 3. Preparing for Life Story Therapy. Part 2. The Stages of Life Story Therapy. 4. The Information Bank. 5. Direct Work with Children. 6. Understanding the Process. 7. Internalisation and Wallpaper. 8. The Life Story Book and Outcomes. 9. Life Story Therapy and How it Relates to Other Forms of Therapy. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisParenting a child who doesn't know how to be parented is the most difficult job in the world.'Why Can't My Child Behave? provides friendly expert advice on how to respond to difficult behaviours and emotions for parents of children with developmental trauma. Each chapter focusses on the common difficulties faced by carers or parents and features quick, applicable ideas with exercises and illustrations. How do you react to a child's difficult behaviour? How do you deal with your own negative emotions? How do you know when to be empathic? The book looks beyond the traditional punishment/reward strategies and aims to provide an explanation for such questions whilst helping the child in the process.This book will prove to be an invaluable resource for parents, foster carers, social workers and professionals working with children who are adopted or fostered.Trade ReviewAmber Elliott has ... provided us with an approach to parenting children which is likely to benefit all children whether secure or insecure. It is time our ideas about parenting our children were based as much on connecting emotionally with them as managing the behaviours that are so often an expression of this emotional experience. This book will move us in this direction. -- From the Foreword by Kim S. Golding, Clinical Psychologist, UKWhy Can't My Child Behave? by Dr Amber Elliot is an insightful resource designed to empower foster and adoptive families to help children become successful. Behavioral issues are omnipresent among foster children who enter care. Dr Elliot presents effective strategies on how to develop empathy for children struggling to fit into a world that can appear very confusing. The book will help reduce stress and is a must buy! -- Dr. Sue Cornbluth, Psychologist, National Expert in Foster Care/Adoption and Trauma, USAIn her book, Dr Amber Elliott... challenges the usual behavioural approach to parenting strategies that uses reward and punishment techniques. Instead... she has taken the typical types of behaviour often experience by carers and has pulled together a simple series of tools, actions and statements that can help a carer start to respond more effectively to the child.... This book is well set out, simply written and focuses on the carer as the primary agent of change... Dr Elliott has created an accessible resource that supports adoptive and foster parents to develop empathic parenting strategies that work for their child and for their whole family. -- Sally Melbourne, executive director, Core Assets, the children's services group * Children & Young People Now *This book would be very useful for parents who care for a child who has experienced traumatic experiences. -- Youth in MindTable of ContentsForeword by Kim S. Golding. 1. I've Tried Everything! Why Isn't It Working? 2. The Importance Of Carers' Emotions. 3. Attention-Seeking Vs. Attachment-Seeking . 4. The Red Mist. 5. The Girl in a Bubble. 6. The High Energy Child. 7. Wrestling For Control. 8. Lying. 9. Sexualised Behaviour. 10. Difficult Sibling Relationships. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisLife story work is one of the key therapeutic approaches to working with adopted or fostered children. While it sounds simple, there is much more to this work than producing photo albums or memory boxes for children.This accessible book is full of tried and tested activities and creative ideas for professionals, parents and carers who may have little time and few resources, but who need to carry out life story work that works for children. The authors describe the optimum conditions in which to carry out life story work and feature activities to accompany each of the necessary stages: creating a sense of safety, emotional literacy, building resilience, exploring identity, sharing information and looking to the future. This book will be a vital tool for social workers, foster carers, adopters, students and any frontline practitioners involved in working with traumatised children.Trade ReviewThis book is an excellent, practical, way of getting started on the complex but vital task of providing life story work for looked after children...They provide activities that can be used withchildren to help them come to an understanding of why they are in care... Perhaps most valuable is that the authors set life story work in a context, with chapters devoted to helping the child build a sense of safety, emotional literacy, resilience and identity as an integral part of sharing the information about their life with them... This is an excellent book and the exercises described have uses in working with and caring for children beyond the life story work field. -- Foster Care MagazineThe authors have thoughtfully sifted and collated the numerous different activities and methodology that have worked well in practice as a way of encouraging practitioners, foster carers and adoptive parents to begin doing life story work with children. In so doing, they allow those three groups in a child's life - practitioners, foster carers and adoptive parents - to do direct work with children and give them an opportunity to explore their own creative and communication skills. -- Young Minds MagazineThe book is easily readable, written in a heartfelt way by people who a) clearly care deeply about the subject matter and b) have real and robust experience in carrying out Life Story Work themselves... This book is split into bite-size chunks that give real and concrete activities split into what the facilitator will need, how to complete the activity and 'handy hints' about how to develop or shape the work to fit with the developmental stage of the child... It was really useful to have read this book and would recommend it as a useful addition to material for those working in this vital area. -- Clinical Nurse SpecialistIt is an ideal resource for those who undertake direct work with children and provides very imaginative and useful practical exercises to carry out with children in the course of doing life story work with them. The book has a very clear structure...is well referenced and evidence-based and shows comprehensively why life story work is so important to children in care... the exercises... equally applicable to other forms of direct work with children, such as for children's guardians, children's social workers and residential social workers... This book brings together a variety of very stimulating and creative ideas... for those who like to work imaginatively therapeutically and creatively with children. -- Julia Isikwe Hughes, independent social worker and integrative psychotherapist * Seen and Heard *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Building the Foundations for Life Story Work. 2. Building a Sense of Safety for the Child. 3. Emotional Literacy. 4. Building Resilience and Self-esteem. 5. Identity. 6. Information Sharing and Integration. 7. Looking to the Future. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a useful introduction to the most common non-genetic learning disability, which is caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.Written by two FASD experts, it describes how alcohol can harm the foetus and disrupt development, and explains how FASD affects individuals at different stages of their lives. With the aid of simple, illustrative diagrams, photographs and charts, it shows how you can identify FASD and gives guidance on how mothers at risk can be helped. It also provides advice for parents or carers on how children, young people and adults with FASD can be best supported. Accessible and informative, this is the essential guide to FASD for social workers, family placement teams, child protection workers, foster carers, adoptive parents, midwives and teachers.Trade ReviewThis book calls for appropriate assessments and interventions, and a collaborative approach to supporting the complex needs of individuals with FASD. This message is one that needs to be heard far and wide! Written in easy to understand language, this informative book is a "must" for anyone caring for or working in the field of FASD - the tools and strategies for success cover a wealth of practical and helpful tips. -- Bernadette Howell, adoptive mother of two sons diagnosed with FASDTable of ContentsIntroduction. Ch1: What is FASD? Ch2: FASD Recognition, Screening and Diagnosis. Ch3: FASD Across the Lifespan. CH4: FASD, Tools and Strategies for Success. Part Five: FASD, Future Policy and Practice. Conclusion. References. Appendices. Additional Resources.

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Book SynopsisI love you, no matter what.'An uplifting true story of an ordinary couple who build an extraordinary family, No Matter What describes how Sally and Rob Donovan embark upon a journey to adopt following a diagnosis of infertility.Sally Donovan brings to life with characteristic wit and honesty the difficulties of living with infertility, their decision to adopt and the bewildering process involved. Finally matched with young siblings Jaymey and Harlee, Sally and Rob's joy turns to shock as they discover disturbing details of their children's past and realise that they must do everything it takes to heal their children.By turns tragic, inspiring and hilarious, Sally and Rob's story offers a rare insight into the world of adoptive parents and just what it takes to bring love to the lives of traumatised children.Trade ReviewThis book should be compulsory reading for potential adoptive parents and for those professionals who touch their lives and pretend to understand what the whole experience is about. Sally Donovan's account touches upon the depth of despair, unbearable strain on a small family unit, incompetent or insensitive professionals, and fairly non-existent support. And yet it is full of optimism and hope for the human spirit. -- Young Minds MagazineFor those who already know the author through her adoption blog the brilliance of this book will come as no surprise... Sally Donovan seems to write as naturally as the rest of us breathe, with an eloquence and honesty that makes "No Matter What" totally absorbing. She has a fantastic story to tell that not only speaks to those who have their own adoption experiencer but to any reader who has an interest in rich, articulate personal stories and wants an insight into the life of a normal adoptive family... Much of what Sally writes will be all too familiar to other adoptive parents by the humanity, intelligence and humor of the writing captures the reality of adoptive family life in a truly enthralling way. -- Adoption TodayAs a post adoption social worker, who has also recently worked in a children in care team, this book struck a chord as to how our role impacts on children and adopters... I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it travels with me in my handbag and I sing its praises to whoever will listen! I urge everyone involved in adoption to read this book and to be inspired. -- Community Care Children's Services blogIf you've ever wondered what it's like to adopt, this book holds the answer: it's hard, sometimes traumatic, and far from "normal family life". It's also special, joyful, and utterly transformative - for parents as much as children. Yes our families are different; this book explains in both a moving and matter-of-fact way why we are proud to be so. -- Baroness Oona King, adoptive motherHonest, refreshing, heart-breaking, thought-provoking and inspiring - this is a valuable insight into adoption and the devastating effects of trauma. -- Lorraine Pascale, television presenter, chef and former model, adoptee and TACT patronThis book is sheer therapy for an adopter and enlightenment for anyone who comes into contact with adoption in any way. A must read for parents, schools and authorities. -- Carrie Grant Vocal Coach/TV Presenter, adoptive mother and BAAF adoption championSally Donovan has written a warm, humorous, hard-hitting and compelling story about her own adoption journey. What she says will resonate with the majority of those who have adopted children from care. Ultimately this is an overwhelmingly positive celebration of the transformation that adoption can bring to society's most damaged and vulnerable children, but it also clearly sets out the realities of parenting children affected by early childhood abuse and neglect. Every adopter will be able to recognise some aspect of their own experiences in Sally's story and I would urge every professional working with adopted children -- including health visitors and teachers, as well as social workers - to read this so they know what understanding and support those parenting adopted children need. -- Hugh Thornbery, Chief Executive, Adoption UKNo Matter What is by a long way the best account ever written of the experience of being an adoptive parent and carer of children traumatised by maltreatment. With heart-wrenching candour, it tells the story of a couple's journey through the pain of childlessness, the adoption process, and the lived experience of caring for Jaymey and Harlee whose early lives were 'almost unbearable to read about'. Sally Donovan evokes brilliantly the commitment, energy, therapeutic skill and humanity required to care for and heal children whose past abuse has left them distressed, feeling unworthy and acting out in often chaotic ways. This remarkable book is not only a major contribution to work on child welfare; such is the sheer power and brilliance of the writing that it triumphs as a work of literature, as art. Utterly compelling and humane, No Matter What is essential reading for all those who care for and about vulnerable children, adoption and fostering and who are open to being inspired by the healing power of love. -- Harry Ferguson, Professor of Social Work, University of NottinghamI found this book almost unbearably moving and, ultimately, uniquely uplifting. I have never before read, in a single book, such a compelling portrait of the horrors of child neglect and its consequences, alongside a portrait of the historical inadequacies of adoption assessment and post adoption support. This is a staggeringly vivid account of a heroic struggle by heroic adopters to heal the deep scars of neglect and abuse. I cannot recommend it warmly enough. -- Sir Martin Narey, Government Advisor on Children's Social Care and Visiting Professor, Durham and Sheffield Hallam UniversitiesEveryone should read this funny and deeply moving account of modern adoption: the highs, the lows, the risks and the rewards. Sally's writing is honest, insightful and beautiful to read.I am, and will remain, totally in awe of Sally and her husband Rob. Their empathy and resilience is sure to inspire anyone who reads this book, particularly those thinking about adopting a child.In the most modest, refreshing and unassuming way, Sally gives a voice to everyone struggling with infertility or learning to parent traumatised children. This book is a triumph in so many ways. -- Camilla Pemberton, Children and Families Editor, Community CareWith great humility Sally shares her journey of courage, hope and persistence in boldly loving her children despite the odds, no matter what...Throughout the book I laughed and cried, experiencing the highs and lows of loving children who have lived the unthinkable. For too long adopters walked this journey very much alone. We must now accompany them on this journey, in our neighbourhoods, communities and cities, and within our education, social care and health services. Together we can make a difference; each life is precious, however fragile and different. No Matter What communicates this truth, and is an important contribution at this time of policy change. -- Louise Michelle Bombèr, Adoption Support Teacher for Brighton and Hove, Attachment Support Teacher Therapist for The Yellow Kite Attachment Support ServiceIn No Matter What Sally has written about her adoption journey in a way which enables us to walk in her shoes and those of her children and which is informative and humbling. Anyone associated with children in the care system in any capacity could only benefit from reading this outstanding book. -- Jane Evans, Trauma Parenting and Behaviour Skills Specialist and TrainerNo Matter What pulls no punches in describing Sally and Rob's moving journey of adopting two siblings and the challenges of parenting them in great detail. It is beautifully written with humour and understanding.We learn from Sally that adopting children who have suffered neglect and abuse, requires not only resilient parents but expert advice, support and understanding from a range of professionals and from family and friends.This book is required reading for professionals such as social workers, health professionals, teachers and early years staff. It is also a must for those who want to adopt and for their families as it provides an honest account of the challenges but also the joys of falling in love with your adopted children. We can all learn so much from Sally and Rob's story. -- Sherry Malik, Director of Children and Adult Services in HounslowIt should be compulsory reading for all contemplating work within adoption, or indeed for any moving towards work with young children and their families, whether in social work or education, where children's behaviour can sometimes seem so hard to understand, by where change can only come about through real compassion, intense resilience and unending patience. -- Helen Bonnick, Practice Educator n East London * Professional Social Work *This book is a first-hand narration by Sally Donovan of her and her husband Rob's journey through infertility and the adoption... It is intensely individual story, but this story speaks to very many wider themes... In this book, we see the need for ongoing support for the family, both formal and informal...this book is not only recommended for adopters, social workers, teachers and health professionals (and I recommend it strongly for those groups), but for everyone. -- Sally Holland, CASCADE Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre * British Journal of Social Work *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements. Author's Note. Part 1. Revelations: In the Bad House. Chapter 1. Part 2. Keeping Secrets: Hope and Disappointment. Chapter 2. Chapter 3. Part 3. Planning a Future: Flip Charts and Handouts. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. Chapter 6. Part 4. In the Family Way: Early Days. Chapter 7. Chapter 8. Chapter 9. Part 5. Extreme Times: Life and Loss. Chapter 10. Chapter 11. Part 6. Getting Educated: Learning the Hard Way. Chapter 12. Chapter 13. Chapter 14. Part 7. A Time for Healing: No Matter What. Chapter 15. Chapter 16. Chapter 17. Chapter 18.

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Book SynopsisThis is not just another book about adoptive parenting. This is the real stuff: dynamic, messy, baffling adoptive parenting, rooted in domestic life.Award-winning columnist and adoptive parent Sally Donovan offers savvy, compassionate advice on how to be 'good enough' in the face of both day-to-day and more bewildering challenges – how to respond to 'red mist' meltdowns, crippling anxieties about new routines and, most importantly, how to meet the intimidating challenge of being strong enough to protect and nurture your child. Full of affecting and hilarious stories drawn from life in the Donovan household, The Unofficial Guide to Adoptive Parenting offers parents a refreshing counterblast to stuffy parenting manuals -- read it, weep, laugh and learn.Trade ReviewSally Donovan seems to write as naturally as the rest of us breathe. -- Adoption Today magazineIn this new book Sally Donovan communicates powerfully the messy lived experience of daily family life with her two adopted children. In her hopeful, intelligent, moving, witty and psychologically sound reflections adoptive parents will gain a lot of comfort. This book will be an invaluable resource for both parents, extended family and friends and professionals. -- From the foreword by Dr. Vivien Norris, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, DDP Practitioner, Certified Theraplay® Therapist and Trainer, The Family PlaceWhen Sally Donovan asked me to read the draft of her second book I was both delighted and anxious. Delighted because I've come to know Sally - first through Twitter, then personally - and I have a high regard for her ability to tell it how it is, to support others and to write so engagingly. Anxious because I loved her first book , No Matter What, so much. When she told me that her second book was a guide to parenting adopted children I must admit to thinking that this had been done before by so many others and that it wouldn't come close to the power of her first book. I needn't have worried. The Unofficial Guide to Parenting Adopted Children is brilliant; it's Sally at her best and a must-read for all those involved in adopting children from care. Sally takes us through the reality of modern day adoptive parenting in a frank, hard hitting and ultimately uplifting way. She pulls no punches, but what is so good about this book is the hope that it offers. Sally takes us in to her world, and provides the reader in a very matter-of-fact way sound advice from her own experience and research into therapeutic parenting. Any adopter reading this will know that they are not alone, that they can forgive themselves for not being the perfect "elite" parent, and that with love, knowledge, support and determination very damaged young lives can be transformed. Some may worry that this 'warts and all' description of 21st Century adoption will put others off from adopting. I don't. Because Sally shows us that it is so worthwhile; it's probably the most impactful and all-consuming voluntary effort than anyone ever makes in our society. The risk to successful adoptions is the lack of support for adoptive families, not supportive books like this. -- Hugh Thornbery, Chief Executive, Adoption UKSally Donovan gives us a book that is honest, real and down-to-earth. The satisfaction and the pain of parenting traumatized children is here along with many practical suggestions for therapeutic parenting. Writing from the perspective of an adoptive parent of two children this book has the compassion and reassurance that can only come from having been there. Thank you Sally for helping us to understand what it is like; for showing us that therapeutic parenting can work even though the journey is a long one and for the wisdom that says give it a go and if you don't always follow the model that is okay too. -- Dr. Kim S. Golding, Clinical PsychologistEven at this early stage in my own adoption journey...reading this book was a great way of re-reminding myself of some of the things I should be either doing or considering doing. This is a warts and all book, and probably funnier for it (and it is often funny). Probably the best recommendation I can give this book is to say that I will be keeping it close by so that I can get to it when I need it. Not only that but I will also be picking up a couple of extra copies for my family members too, to help with their understanding of the reality of our wonderful situation. -- Scott Vine, www.informationoverlord.co.ukIf we had had this book to refer to many years ago it would have helped us to parent our children more easily. It is not a text book and it is not prescriptive. It is a practical guide, easy to read, full of helpful advice and strategies to try for children where traditional parenting methods fail because our children have not had a traditional childhood experience. It is a must read for all adoptive parents. Read from it, get ideas from it, but above all smile at it and use it to help you smile again with your family. -- From the foreword by Sue and Jim Clifford OBEAward-winning columnist and adoptive parent Sally Donovan offers savvy, compassionate advice on how to be "good enough" in the face of both day-to-day and more bewildering challenges - how to respond to "red mist" meltdowns, crippling anxieties and most importantly, how to meet the intimidating challenge of being strong enough to protect and nurture your child. Full of affecting and hilarious stories drawn from life in the Donovan household, this book offers parents a refreshing counterblast to stuffy parenting manuals - read it, weep, laugh an learn. -- Families NW London MagazineTable of ContentsIntroduction, 1. It's All About Us: Shaping Up to be a Therapeutic Parent, 2. Establishing the Basics, 3. This is Meant to be Fun, 4. Leisure Time, 5. Repetitive Strain, 6. The Hard Stuff, 7. Brothers and Sisters, 8. The Outside World, 9. Life Story Work, 10. Self-care, 11. Practical Techniques

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Book SynopsisUsing Stories to Build Bridges with Traumatized Children is full of creative ideas for how you can use stories therapeutically with children in counselling, life story work or direct work. Psychologist Kim S. Golding shows how you can use stories to build connections with children aged 4–16 and support their recovery from trauma and stress. She illustrates the techniques with 21 stories adapted from her own clinical work with children and families, and explains how you can expand or adapt them to make them more relevant for a particular child. Advice and stories are arranged into sections dealing with common psychological issues, including looking back and moving on, lack of trust and need for attention. Golding also gives invaluable tips for planning stories and life story work, and for storymaking with children. She also describes how stories can be used therapeutically with parents of traumatized children and as a tool for self-reflection by counsellors. Imaginative and practical, this book will be enormously useful for counsellors, psychologists, therapists and social workers working with traumatized children, and will also be helpful for parents and carers involved in therapeutic parenting.Trade ReviewThe stories in this book, created from both the realities of children's lives and a liberating imagination, show how storymaking and storytelling can help children understand themselves better and see themselves differently. It illustrates, as stories clearly can, the almost magical power of storytelling to transform and heal. Kim tells us her process of developing stories and then shows us the stories allowing us to see how powerful they are. When I first read them I thought of many children I've worked with and felt closer to them, that I understood them better and, in turn, become more curious about their experience. Kim shows us what we can do when we start thinking about the children we work with using imagination and creativity. -- From the Foreword by Dr. Steve Killick, Clinical Psychologist, Cardiff University, and StorytellerThis book provides a cogent model for understanding the applications of stories to therapy and counselling as well as articulate advice about developing therapeutic, solution-based, and personalized stories to enhance trauma recovery. It is a book that I will return to on a regular basis and a "must-have" volume for counsellors, social workers, psychologists, creative arts therapists and trauma specialists. -- Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT, Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute and President, Art Therapy Without BordersKim Golding is truly both an excellent psychologist, teacher, and writer while at the same time being a wonderful story creator. This is a work to read deeply and to keep nearby as we use stories to help children, their families, and ourselves to make sense of our life long journeys. -- From the foreword by Dan Hughes, psychologist and founder of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, author of Attachment-Focused Family Therapy WorkbookPractitioners will easily identify themes in these stories, which will have resonance for many of the children and families they work with. This book may also inspire some to "have a go" at writing their own therapeutic stories, and the structure suggested and underlying principles are equally relevant to compiling life story books for children. -- Joy Rees, adoption adviser, social work consultant, trainer and author of Life Story Books for Adopted ChildrenTable of ContentsForeword. Steve Killick, Clinical Psychologist and Storyteller. Introduction. 1. The Power of Stories for Facilitating Healing for Children and their Families. 2. 'Once upon a time...' Creating Your Own Stories. Section One: Looking Back and Moving On, Life in Stories. 3. Story One: The Caterpillar Who Did not Want to Become a Butterfly. 4. Story Two: Kirsty, the Cuckoo in the Nest. 5. Story Three: The Puppy Who needed healing. Section Two: Coping in Fear and Without Trust. 6. Story Four: Conner the Superhero. 7. Story Five: Millie and Her Mother. 8. Story Six: In the Eye of the Storm. Section Three: I Will Do It By Myself. 9. Story Seven: Born to Care. 10. Story Eight: The Boy with all the Knowledge of the World in His Head. 11. Story Nine: The Mermaid's Song. Section Four: Keep Noticing Me. 12. Story Ten: Melinda and the Golden Balloon. 13. Story Eleven: The Clockmakers and the Cuckoo Clock. 14. Story Twelve: The Space Boy. Section Five: Learning About Relationships. 15. Story Thirteen: Survival of the Fittest. 16. Story Fourteen: A Mummy Finds out how to Look After her Baby. 17. Story Fifteen: Sally Sunshine and the Big Bag of Worries. Section Six: Stories for Parents. 18. Story Sixteen: A Daughter's Tale. 19. Story Seventeen: William and Edward. 20. Story Eighteen: Longing and Belonging. Section Seven: Stories for the Practitioners. 21. Story Nineteen: The Finest Forest in all the Land. 22. Story Twenty: Never You Mind. 23. Story Twenty One: Bridge over Troubled Water. Appendix 1. Planning a Solution Story. Appendix 2. Planning a Therapeutic Story. Appendix 3. Planning a Trauma Story. Appendix 4. Planning a Narrative to Explore Life Story. Appendix 5. Planning an Insight Story. References.

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Book SynopsisSimple and concise, The Teacher's Introduction to Attachment offers an easy way to understand children with attachment issues and how they can be supported. Author Nicola Marshall combines her expertise as an adoptive parent and schools trainer to describe in plain English what attachment is, how children develop attachment problems and how these problems affect a child's social, emotional and neurological development. She addresses some of the difficulties in identifying attachment issues in children - common among children who are in care or adopted, but which are sometimes mistaken for symptoms of ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nicola also describes a range of helpful principles and practical strategies which will help children flourish - from simple tips for the individual on how to improve their communication to the changes a school can make to reduce a child's anxiety about changes and transitions.Ideal for teachers and support staff to pick up and use, this book is an essential addition to any school's staff library.Trade ReviewI found this book to be enormously helpful and also reassuring. It bolstered my toolkit of resources to understand and help the vulnerable children I come across - and it reassured me that I am equipped to help: those children I think are hard to reach are actually within my reach and I can be the person to help them... Compassionate and intelligent [this is] an accessible book for all. -- Phil Thomas, Teacher, Headteacher and Resilience TrainerVery easy to read and understand. I would recommend this book to all foster carers and adoptive parents. -- Janet Mordue, Teenage Advice Centre co-ordinator, foster carerThis would be so useful to us in school. I have been talking to the teacher I work with about a particular boy since reading the book and we both feel that his behaviour can now be explained which will help him and us a great deal. -- Kirsty Stone, English Leader and Key Stage 1 Co-ordinator, Perryfields Primary School, SandwellMore than anyone else, teachers and school staff need to learn about the critical role that attachment plays in the performance, behaviour, and wellbeing of their students. Nicola Marshall's clear and concise explanation of attachment makes it readily accessible to the reader. Her 'guiding principles' will help educational professionals adopt the kind of mindset that one needs when trying to teach students with disrupted attachment. -- Christopher J. McGlinn, Ph.D., Clinical Coordinator, The Elwyn Davidson School, Pennsylvania, USAEasy to understand and written in a very informative way. I think all teachers and adults who work with children should read this. It might open their eyes a bit. -- Emma Collier, Teaching Assistant, Blossomfield Infant School, Shirley, BirminghamThis book is...very useful, informative and thoughtful... The author is an adoptive parent who runs her owntraining company supporting schools in terms of attachment and classroom implications... The book covers very difficult issues with sensitivity and provides those working in schools with sound advice... There is much practical advice and this book would form the useful basis for staff professional development when delivered by appropriately trained leaders. Highly recommended. -- SEN MagazineTable of ContentsAcknowledgement, Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1 - What is Trauma? Chapter 2 - What Causes Trauma? Chapter 3 - What is Attachment? Chapter 4 - Attachment Theorists, Chapter 5 - Attachment Styles, Chapter 6 - Brain Development, Chapter 7 - Symptoms of Attachment Difficulties, Chapter 8 - Guiding Principle 1, Relationships Over Programmes, Chapter 9 - Guiding Principle 2 - Emotional Age Over Chronological Age, Chapter 10 - Guiding Principle 3 - Structure Over Chaos, Chapter 11 - Guiding Principle 4 - Time In Over Time Out, Chapter 12 - Guiding Principle 5 - Sensory Less Over Sensory More, Chapter 13 - Toxic Shame, Chapter 14 - Identity, Chapter 15 - Empathy, Chapter 16 - Trust, Chapter 17 - Control and Self-Reliance, Chapter 18 - Self-Regulation, Chapter 19 - Cause-and-Effect Thinking, Chapter 20 - Memory and Organisation, Chapter 21 - Changes and Transitions, Chapter 22 - Triggers, Chapter 23 - Prevention is better than cure, Chapter 24 - Communication is Key, Chapter 25 - The Most Important Thing We Learn, Chapter 26 - What's so Wrong with Rewards at School? Chapter 27 - Inner and Outer Resources, Chapter 28 - A Word of Warning, Braveheart Education, Bibliography and Resources, Websites.

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Book SynopsisBoy built a wall to keep himself safe. Behind it he felt strong and more protected. Then Someone Kind came along. She bounced a ball, sang and painted on the other side of the wall, and Boy began to wonder if life on the other side might be better after all. Written for children aged 4 to 9, this gentle full-colour picture book uses a simple metaphor to explain how children who have had painful or traumatic experiences can build barriers between themselves and other people. It will help children explore their feelings and encourage communication.Trade ReviewI really enjoyed this book, as did my children. The gentle but insightful storytelling matched the fantastic illustrations. This is a book that can easily be returned to again and again by families as children grow. It will provide a platform for many parents and children to have conversations about life stories and challenging experiences and offer hope for restoration and love. -- Al Coates, adoptive dad, social worker and bloggerThe Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself brings crucial awareness for children and the adults who care for them, that behind all difficult behaviours there is deep emotional pain. The strategy of defence only makes the pain bigger, but this compassionate, succinct and perceptive book shows the utter transformation possible when an 'enlightened witness' sees through the wall to the core distress within. This story offers hope to any child struggling to manage painful and overwhelming emotions; and it is a compelling message for parents, carers and teachers that the results of tending to underlying feelings can be astonishing. -- Virginia Mallin, Psychodynamic PsychotherapistThe book would be useful to parents to help their child understand their thoughts and feelings - it prompts questions and opens up conversation - and also good for a primary school library or PSHE lesson. -- Julie Griffin * BACP Children and Young People *This remarkable picture book should be winning prizes for both its textual simplicity and the innovative and quite beautiful art work. For a child who has suffered emotional or physical abuse, it will be the kind of life-line that can provide true healing and a sense that the world can be a good place after all. An invaluable resource for those dealing with damaged children. -- HealthyBooks

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Book SynopsisFor children who are adopted families can get complicated, and that's very true when it comes to brothers and sisters, or 'siblings'. Today The Adoption Club are exploring the confusing world of siblings. Some children have half-siblings, adopted siblings, step-siblings. Michael has a birth sibling, his sister Angela, who he lives with, but many other children who are adopted are separated from their brother or sisters. The Adoption Club talk about their feelings about their own siblings.Written for counsellors and therapists working with children aged 5-11, as well as adoptive parents, this workbook is designed to help explore sibling relationships. It is one of a set of five interactive therapeutic workbooks featuring The Adoption Club written to address the key emotional and psychological challenges adopted children often experience. Together, they provide an approachable, interactive and playful way to help children to learn about themselves and have fun at the same time.Trade ReviewThe Adoption Club series by Regina M. Kupecky, is a novel concept for helping adopted children share their stories. This therapeutic tool will help adoptees find and use their voices. Thank you, Regina! -- Sherrie Eldridge, author and speaker in the field of adoptionTable of ContentsIntroduction. Story. Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisMeet Chelsea - a young girl who was adopted. Chelsea invites you to learn about adoption from her perspective and introduces us to two friends of hers who were also transracially adopted. Chelsea and her friends help children understand what it means to be adopted, the experiences and challenges that follow the adoption process, and how they can help. Accessible and informative, this illustrated book is an ideal introduction to adoption for children aged 7-11 and is a great tool for encouraging discussions for families, teachers and professionals working with adopted children.Trade ReviewThis useful, accessible book is written from the perspective of a young girl (,...) Chelsea's perspective, it invites the reader to understand adoption from the young person's point of view; what adoption is like, the questions, worries and fears adoptees may have and ways o open up communication about these issues... At the end of the book, there are sections specifically for parents and teachers offering advice about how they can help adopted children, and to inform parents and teachers. -- Youth in MindThe overall tenor of this book is upbeat and I can envisage it being a great help both to adopted children and those with whom they have regular contact - teachers and children - at school. -- Red Reading Hub by Jill BennettI love the honest and clear way this book tells how children come to be adopted. This explanation will be useful for adopted children trying to understand their own story, as well as informing those around them. I can definitely see the benefits of this book being used in schools as well as at home, and I will be recommending it to teachers I know and work with. -- Sarah Hill, adoption blogger and adoptive parentI think many adopted children will appreciate the straight talking on some of the emotional issues they face. -- Sally Bell, adoptive parentCan I tell you about Adoption?' is an illustrated book accessible to children aged seven+ that invites the reader to explore the thoughts and feelings that can surround adoption through the eyes of Chelsea, a young girl who wasadopted... Throughout the book Chelsea acknowledges thoughts and feelings connected to birth parents, foster parents, adopted parents and the adoptee themselves that may never go away. Helpful suggestions of how to ask an adopted child questions are given as well as a valuable insight into ways of empathically understanding how anadopted child may feel... Straight talking on emotional issues and difficult questions runs throughout the book. This makes it a useful tool for opening up discussions for parents, families, teachers and professionals who work with adopted children as well as adopted children themselves. The end of the book provides advice sections for teachers and parents which is followed by a list of helpful reading resources and organisations. -- Play TherapyThe slim publication is likely to prove a useful tool for young adopted children to enable them to raise and discuss issues they may have about their life-story with their adoptive parents and to gain confidence in discussing issues surrounding their adoptive status with their friends. It is also likely to be of value to professionals, including social workers and teachers, working with children who have been adopted, or are about to be adopted.The illustrations included in the book will help engage young readers and help to get the message home about some rather complex issues. -- Dr Darshan Sachdev, Independent Research Consultant * NAPCE Journal: Pastoral Care in Education *Overall, this book is a worthwhile read and it would help to open up discussion within a family who have an adopted child...in summary, this book sets out to help others to understand what it feels like to be adopted and I think it achieves this objective very well. -- Denise O'Neill * Irish Association of Social Workers *Table of Contents1. Introduction. 2. Introducing Chelsea. 3. My Adoption Story. 4. Meet my friends Adilu and Kira. 5. Difficult Questions and Feelings about being Adopted. 6. Good Things about Being Adopted. 7. Notes for Parents. 8. Notes for Teachers.

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Book SynopsisWho are you, when you come from two places? Ennatu Domingo was adopted from Ethiopia at the age of seven and transplanted to Barcelona where she learned to flourish. But she never forgot her nomadic childhood in the mountains and meadows of Gondar, near the northern border with Eritrea. Having witnessed the hardships of Ethiopian rural women at an early age, she was inspired to study the patriarchal structures that underpinned her individual experiences, both in Europe and in contemporary Ethiopia. She has lived in Kenya, Belgium and the UK, and has travelled across five continents, but keeps returning to the country of her childhood, to re-construct a lost identity guided by the echo of her first language Amharic and the weight of a rich cultural heritage. Torn between forgetting and remembering, Ennatu explores the dilemma of international adoptees and migrant children and their quest for belonging in a book destined to be a classic of its genre.Trade Review‘Ennatu Domingo presents the biography Burnt eucalyptus wood. A story about origins and identities’ https://www.ccma.cat/tv3/alacarta/mes-324/ennatu-domingo-ens-presenta-la-biografia-fusta-deucaliptus-cremada-un-relat-sobre-els-origens-i-les-identitats/video/6150123/ * More 324 *‘Ennatu Domingo: “I am making visible the many experiences of young immigrants”’ https://www.zendalibros.com/ennatu-domingo-visibilizo-muchas-experiencias-de-jovenes-emigrantes/?fbclid=IwAR1C7mV6hB1fEgrdvrAN385gPjCCv0Pr0iabCTGGwzkHAEYoL7s2J0ELAO0 * Zenda Libros *‘Ennatu Domingo: “My African mother died at my age, 25 years old”’ https://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20220328/8156395/ennatu-domingo-libro-navona.html * La Vanguardia *‘Ennatu Domingo: “You can’t see me as a person you saved”’ https://www.elnacional.cat/ca/cultura/ennatu-domingo-no-pot-ser-veieu-persona-salvat_738438_102.html * El Nacional *‘From rural Ethiopia to the heart of the EU: the story of a Catalan woman of African descent’ https://www.ara.cat/cultura/ennatu-domingo-etiopia-rural-cor-europa-historia-catalana-afrodescendent_1_4333239.html * Ara Magazine *‘Ennatu Domingo in conversation with Gemma Nierga’ https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/cafe-didees/ennatu-domingo-presenta-fusta-eucaliptus-cremada/6501028/ * Cafè d’idees *

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Book Synopsis'Interesting. Fascinating. I wanted to hold Michelle's hand and say “We can do this"' - Louise Allen In 1972, Michelle Pearson gave up her son for adoption. As ‘one of those girls’, she was expected to hide her shame with secrecy. No one should ever find out she’d had a child. But she never forgot the son who was taken from her. In the years that followed she struggled with PTSD, traumatic memory loss, agoraphobia and anxiety – impacting every area of her life. This is Michelle’s story of love, loss and hope; of how over 50 years she has managed the consequences of living with her secret, survived the emotional pain, and finally, after being reunited with her son, the journey to rebuild their lives together.Trade Review'Michelle's story is powerful, deeply moving and the tip of the iceberg as far as the national scandal of forced adoption in Britain is concerned.' * Dr Michael Lambert *'Interesting. Fascinating. I wanted to hold Michelle's hand and say “We can do this"' * Louise Allen, author *

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Book SynopsisYou might just have been told that someone needs you to care for a child or have been caring for a child for quite some time. Maybe you know the child, perhaps you are their grandparent? Or maybe the child is connected to someone in your family, but you hardly know them.You may have a lot of conflicting feelings. Maybe you are relieved that the child is with you, or perhaps you feel resentment at the interference of others? It might all be rather overwhelming, even if you have been a kinship carer for quite some time. Whatever the situation, when Kinship Care is sought, it can often come out of the blue. Sarah Naish and Enza Smith provides the answers to all of your burning questions. Dip-in dip-out sections help you to the immediate hurdles you might face, such as bereavement, issues with drugs or alcohol, child abuse, please use and more as well as challenges which may arise later in your kinship care journey. This book fills the information vacuum of support and ensures you always have an easy-to-access comforting friend within its pages.

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Book SynopsisThis colourful pack of jumbo cards is the ideal resource for anyone who wants a fresh and creative way to explore what therapeutic parenting involves.Designed to help parents of children who have experienced trauma, as well as the range of professionals who support them, this pack offers simple summaries of the key principles of therapeutic parenting. Each card features a cartoon and quote taken from the author's bestselling book The Quick Guide to Therapeutic Parenting. Each explains a different element of therapeutic parenting, accompanied by a concise explanation on the back. Over 40 different issues are covered, from dysregulation and fear, to setting boundaries and parenting in the midst of trauma, and the cards are accompanied by a booklet which explains more about therapeutic parenting and how the pack can be used. The resource has been designed to be used flexibly, so get creative! You may want to use as a playful conversation starter for talking about parenting, a learning tool for those wanting to develop their skills, or simply a source of inspiration - pinned to the wall for when things get tough!

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Book SynopsisIn the much-anticipated follow-up to Sunday Times bestseller Trapped, foster carer Rosie Lewis tells the heartbreaking true story of 13-year-old Zadie. When the young teenage girl runs away from home and is discovered hiding on the city streets by the police, it is clear that all is not as it should be.

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Book SynopsisA heartbreaking true story of a broken family and the foster carer who wants to keep them togetherThe Watsons are no strangers to sibling placements but when Casey takes the call from her supervising social worker one frosty January morning, she can instantly tell from the tone of her colleague's voice that there's a complicated case ahead.And she's right. A four-day-old baby boy called Tommy born in prison plus his four-year-old half-brother, the lively Seth. A month later, the very moment she gets out of prison, the boys' mother a 19-year-old called Jenna also follows.For Casey, it would it be a difficult scenario on several levels. Caring for a new born in her fifties with a pre-schooler who has spent most of his young life without boundaries tearing around her ankles, while also looking out for his drug-addicted mum who is ill-equipped to parent.It's an unusual situation but one that has arisen in a bid to keep the family together. Can Casey find the energy and strength needed

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Book SynopsisThe experience of adoption, both adopting and being adopted, can stir up deep emotional pain, often related to loss and early trauma. A for Adoption provides insight and support to those families and individuals facing these complex processes and challenges. Trade Review"This highly accessible and very readable book is written for a broad readership – it might be said that it is written for every one of us. It explores the complex and multi-faceted experiences of adoption in a deeply thoughtful and emotionally compelling way. This is an important book on many levels – it will speak to child psychotherapists, professional colleagues, young people and families and it can add powerfully to the conversation with services, commissioners and policy makers." Marie Bradley, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. Extract from ‘The Association of Child Psychotherapists’ book review"Alison Roy is my go-to child and adolescent psychotherapist whenever I have a letter to reply to in my Guardian column which concerns adoption. Her ability, in particular, to put across the possible viewpoint of the child, is especially important and helpful to me; but her empathy and insight into the whole picture is fantastically useful and thought-provoking."Annalisa Barbieri, The Guardian"Adoption is a complex journey for all concerned. Drawing on extensive professional experience, this book is a must read for professionals and families alike."Liz Rugg, Assistant Director of Social Care for East Sussex"Adoption can provide children with the loving family home and future every child deserves. There will be challenges to children and their adoptive families along the way and that’s why it’s so important there is long-term therapeutic support in place to help children and adoptive families flourish."Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England"Adoption is a lifelong intervention in a child’s life with profound lifelong implications. The chapters in Roy’s book sets out the issues that must be thought about, acted on and drive professional practice. It is a ‘must read’."John Simmonds, OBE, Director of Policy, Research and Development at CoramBAAF"This highly accessible and very readable book is written for a broad readership – it might be said that it is written for every one of us. It explores the complex and multi-faceted experiences of adoption in a deeply thoughtful and emotionally compelling way. This is an important book on many levels – it will speak to child psychotherapists, professional colleagues, young people and families and it can add powerfully to the conversation with services, commissioners and policy makers." Marie Bradley, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. Extract from ‘The Association of Child Psychotherapists’ book review"Alison Roy is my go-to child and adolescent psychotherapist whenever I have a letter to reply to in my Guardian column which concerns adoption. Her ability, in particular, to put across the possible viewpoint of the child, is especially important and helpful to me; but her empathy and insight into the whole picture is fantastically useful and thought-provoking."Annalisa Barbieri, The Guardian"Adoption is a complex journey for all concerned. Drawing on extensive professional experience, this book is a must read for professionals and families alike."Liz Rugg, Assistant Director of Social Care for East Sussex"Adoption can provide children with the loving family home and future every child deserves. There will be challenges to children and their adoptive families along the way and that’s why it’s so important there is long-term therapeutic support in place to help children and adoptive families flourish."Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England"Adoption is a lifelong intervention in a child’s life with profound lifelong implications. The chapters in Roy’s book sets out the issues that must be thought about, acted on and drive professional practice. It is a ‘must read’."John Simmonds, OBE, Director of Policy, Research and Development at CoramBAAFTable of Contents1. Adoption Stories: Begin and the beginning 2. Creating a family life from a family life that has been broken (John Simmonds) 3. The force of the blow: Clinical perspectives 4. What’s Love got to do with it? Parents in pain 5. A Different Kind of Normal: the voices of young people 6. The Professional Couple; The Consultant; and the Outside World (Robin Solomon) 7. Establishing a psychoanalytically informed adoption service: The AdCAMHS Model 8. Baby Number 9: Let’s talk about the birth parents 9. Side by Side: The importance of continuity of Care 10. Closing comments

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Book SynopsisThis groundbreaking and thought-provoking book puts the care experience at the centre of education history. Engaging and accessible, Critical Histories in Care and Education provides historical insight to the growing field of care studies and reveals how nineteenth-century assumptions and prejudices about care-experienced pupils helped shape education policy and continue to do so today.Drawing together original archive research with critical theory and written by an academic researcher and writer who is a foster carer herself, the book challenges some of the key myths and stereotypes involving the care experience and shines an illuminating light on their origins. Aimed primarily at undergraduate and postgraduate students in education, this book identifies discursive threads and provides a fresh insight through a critical retelling of the history of the care system. In combining the histories of care and education, it challenges some taken-for-granted assumptions about

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