Attachment

Professor Helen Minnis of the University of Glasgow, talks to David Woodier, a teacher, adoptive parent and blogger for Scottish Attachment in Action, about ‘Why attachment matters’. Themes emerging from the interview may well resonate with those living and working with children and young people who’ve had an adverse start in life.

Dan Hughes, Clinical Psychologist, from U.S.A., is the originator of dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP) and also attachment-focused family therapy. He is an internationally acclaimed therapist and author of ground-breaking books on attachment and emotional recovery.

Adoptive or foster parents often believe they have failed and blame themselves for their child's violent or aggressive behaviour. It's important that professionals are 'trauma aware' and do not reinforce these feelings. Edwina Grant talks to Christine Gordon and Karen Wallace of Adapt Scotland about caring for those who care for children who exhibit violent or aggressive behaviour. They explore the reasons for these behaviours, the impact on family life and coping strategies.

Theraplay is a child and family therapy aimed at enhancing and building attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. Edwina Grant opened the Scottish Attachment in Action Conference in December 2014 by explaining the importance of play - the building block of human development - and the relationship between Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Theraplay.

We all believe in preventing harm to children and we know that attachment plays a key role in prevention, but how do we close the gap between what we know and what we do? Putting the baby IN the bathwater is a coalition of some 80 organisations and individuals committed to making Scotland the best place to grown up. The coalition recommended numerous amendments to the Children and Young People Bill, many of which were incorporated into the 2014 Act.

During the Scottish Attachment In Action 2013 conference IRISS.FM spoke to the speakers - Tam Baillie, Judy Furnivall, Helen Minnis, Sally Wassell and Paul Gilroy - as well as some of the delegates on a range of topics: how research into brain development in early years is helping us understand brain development in adolescence; professionalism and risk averse practices; why attachment is not better understood by everyone working in human services; evidence informed practice and practice infor

As a forester starting out with no qualifications in social work, Tuhinul did voluntary work with street children and the children of sex workers in Bangaldesh. Conscious of the need for a theoretical grounding he came to the University of East Anglia and subsequently gained a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. In this discussion he talks about bridging the gap between academics and practice.

Foetal alcohol syndrome and looked after children. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder affects many of our looked after, accommodated and adopted children. This complex and emotive topic was explored at a Scottish Attachment in Action seminar held in Edinburgh on 22 February 2013. We asked Paul Gilroy, Chair of SAIA, about the connection between attachment and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Change Is a Must (CIAM) was developed in response to the local and national focus on early years, early intervention, and the increase in numbers of children on the Child Protection Register who are affected by parental substance misuse. CIAM reflects priority areas within Perth and Kinross Single Outcome Agreement, as well as national policy.