Aims and learning objectives

The experience of adoption – both adopting and being adopted – can stir up deep emotional pain, often related to loss and early trauma.

“You don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to see how powerful themes of loss and sadness are going to be pretty central to individual and family stories, despite a ‘coming together’ as a family unit, once the adoption order has been granted. Adoption may be a new beginning – or another beginning – but new beginnings do also tend to stir up feelings left over from previous beginnings and endings” – Alison Roy

In this masterclass, we explore the impact of traumatic histories and stories on the professionals who work with adoptive families – creating a space to think about vicarious trauma, how this plays out in professional networks and politically, and where to take our responses and feelings as a result of being ‘up close and personal’ with traumatic experiences.

We explore the significance of relationships and relationship-based practice – addressing how to carve out time and space for interactions which are vital to the wellbeing of the professionals who work with adoptive families, but which can often be side-lined due to other pressures and priorities.

Without good working relationships, professionals facing such high levels of distress and stress tend to go off sick or experience ‘burnout’. We open up conversations about what we can do to mitigate this risk, and thereby strengthen the protective function of the professional network surrounding the adopted child.

In addressing these themes, we draw upon the psychoanalytic framework which underpins the book A for adoption, a framework which highlights the importance of taking time to consider how to respond to the complex difficulties and dynamics specific to the adoption experience, and to understand our responses to work in this area.

We also integrate first-hand accounts of adopters, adoptees and professionals within the adoption process, through readings from the book. The masterclass provides a space for professionals working within the field of adoption to come together to learn, reflect and consider practical steps that can be taken to enhance their practice.