Attachment and the impact of early childhood trauma

The quality of the relationship between infants and primary caregivers is crucial to children’s development into adulthood. Disruption to early relationship and developmental patterns, no matter what the cause - pre-natal disturbance, premature birth, illness, bereavement, parental substance misuse or entry into the care system - is all too common. This conference provides an opportunity to hear an international expert on attachment trauma and to consider how those involved in planning for children and young people can incorporate this knowledge, develop existing resources to repair the damage and change the lives of children and young people and families. The day will explore good practice and research and give delegates the opportunity to consider their own practice and share their experiences.  This will be achieved through formal presentations and workshops.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Dr Dan Hughes, A clinical psychologist who has spent the last 30 years or more working with children and young people with attachment difficulties in the US, Canada, UK and Australia.
• Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
• Siân Wyn Siencyn, Head of School of Early Childhood at Trinity College.
• Geese Theatre Co.

Invited:

• Leighton Andrews, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning

During the day, delegates will have the opportunity to:

• Increase their understanding of attachment and the impact of early childhood trauma
• Learn about attachment and neurobiological development, young children’s emotional needs and the importance of early intervention
• Raise awareness of attachment and implications for commissioning and strategic planning to enable an informed approach that will improve outcomes for children and young people
• Look at ways of supporting parents and caregivers

Who should attend?

The morning of the conference is aimed at those in strategic roles in planning children’s services as well as practitioners working with children in a variety of settings. By understanding the need to ensure services are designed to work well with children with disrupted attachment; commissioners and service planners can make best use of scarce resources essential in these times of severe financial constraints.

The afternoon of the conference is practice focused and as well as workshops run by the internationally acclaimed Dr Dan Hughes, there are a range of exciting and informative workshops covering a range of subjects including Autism and Attachment; Integrated Family Support Teams; Education and attachment; Family functioning/parental attachment, and Therapeutic Parenting.

For further information, please contact Sally Jones at sally.jones@wlga.gov.uk or 029 2046 8513