Conference 2 - Minimising Risks & Identifying Long-Term Needs

Recent research into the area of children affected by birth mother's use of drugs and alcohol has shown that this is a serious and increasing contemporary problem.  A recent BBC documentary found that there are no reliable figures of the number of children affected, but experts estimate that there are about 7,000 children living in the UK, who were born with lifelong incurable problems caused by their mother's drinking during pregnancy.  Mothers' drug-taking too is a factor in a significant proportion of care proceedings, often leading to the permanent removal of those children from their birth family.  A number of these children are in the looked after population, some will need to be placed with permanent families, or, for adoption.

A range of national and international experts have been assembled for the programme of this conference, to highlight the needs of the children involved and ways in which their long-term needs can be diagnosed. Other speakers will address ways in which these children can be helped, from a multi-disciplinary approach. The speakers represent a range of disciplines, including a Psychiatrist, Pediatrician and a parent.

The course is designed for social workers, lawyers involved in care proceedings, health and education professionals and those working within the field of drugs and alcohol.

Despite the increasing focus of the risks of drugs and alcohol, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the needs of the unborn child.  Delegates would therefore not need any prior knowledge on this topic as the programme aims to heighten this knowledge.

From attending this conference, delegates will be aware of, and understand, the permanent problems for these children and the risks for their future, together with the potential of the legal system to balance these risks, and, ways forward. Delegates should be inspired to disseminate these messages and highlight the risks and permanent problems for these unborn children, of maternal drug and alcohol usage.

The Programme

              08.45:  Registration & Refreshments - 30 Mins

09.15:  Welcome & Introduction - 15 Mins

Professor Ian Gilmore MD, PRCP, President, Royal College of Physicians

09.30:  Binge Britain - 60 Mins

Dr. Raja Mukherjee, Consultant Psychiatrist, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust

10.30:  The Foetal Brain & Alcohol - Defining Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - 60 Mins

Professor Edward Riley, International FASD Neurodevelopmental Brain Expert, US

- Scientific evidence, brain images and studies.

- Explanation of how alcohol is a highly potent teratogen in the brain.

11.30:  Refreshments - 15 Mins

11.45:  The Long-Term Outcome for Children of Drug Abuse in Pregnancy - 45 Mins

Dr Philip Preece, Consultant Paediatrician, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Trust

12.30:  Lunch - 50 Mins

1.20:  ‘Living with Fabulous Children' - 15 Mins

(Adopter of 2 siblings and their half sister)

Susannah Easton, Adopter of 2 siblings and their half sister

1.30:  Interventions and Strategies for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Never Ending Tale - PART 1 - 1 Hour 10 Mins

Julie Gelo, BSHS/M, Mother of 8 children diagnosed with FAS and related conditions, Executive Director for the Washington State affiliate to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS Washington State) and the co-founder of the FASt Friends FASD Community Support Network, U.S.

2.40:  Refreshments - 10 Mins

  2.50:  Interventions and Strategies for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Never Ending Tale - PART 2 - 40 Mins

Julie Gelo, BSHS/M, U.S.

3.30:  The Multi-Disciplinary Team - Discussion Forum - 45 Mins

Edwina Brocklesby, Director, Parents for Children

David Smart, Educational Consultant,

Professor Edward Riley, International FASD Neurodevelopmental Brain Expert, US

Dr Mary Mather, Consultant Community Pediatrician, Bexley Care Trust

Julie Gelo, U.S.

Dr. Raja Mukherjee, Consultant Psychiatrist, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust

4.15:  Plenary - 15 Mins

4.30:  Close

Please Note:  All delegates will be sent a certificate after the conference has taken place