Conference 3 - Maximising Development Opportunities & Managing Challenging Behaviour of Children and Young People

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

TBC

09.30:  Assessing the Needs - A Multi-Disciplinary Approach - 60 Mins

Dr Mary Mather, Consultant Community Pediatrician, Bexley Care Trust

10.30:  Case Scenarios - 45 Mins

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

11.15:  Refreshments - 15 Mins

11.30:  The Use of Multi-Dimensional Treatment Foster Care Strategies in Meeting the Complex Needs of Children &Young People Affected by Maternal Substance Misuse - 40 Mins

Dawn Walker, Consultant Systematic Family Therapist Team Leader - Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Team (North) Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust

12.10:  The Importance of Exercise & Nutrition - 20 Mins

An Occupational Therapist & Nutritionist

  12.30:  Lunch - 60 Mins

Exhibition - ‘Alphamusic' from John Levine, Australian Composer

  1.30:  New Intervention: Bimanual Coordination & Exercise - 45 Mins

Professor Edward Riley, International FASD Neurodevelopmental Brain Expert, U.S.

  2.15:  Many Doors, No Master Key: What Does It Take For Success? - PART 1 - 45 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.

3.00:  Refreshments - 10 Mins

  3.10:  Many Doors, No Master Key: What Does It Take For Success? - PART 2 - 65 Mins

Julie Gelo, BSHS/M, U.S.

4.15:  Plenary - 15 Mins

  4.30:  Close

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