Subject: Staf's Spring Newsletter: 'Changing Minds, Changing Lives', annual conference, website, focus groups and much more...

Hi Friend

This newsletter sees Staf launch a brand new website. With an easy to read homepage, some great resources (particularly on trauma and attachment) and more sections being added over the coming months, including FAQs and profiling relationships, we are proud to share it with you.

This edition also sees the launch of two very new ventures, with a course by Gerald Neil 'Changing Minds, Changing Lives', sharing what works to help those with experience of justice system gain success in their lives, and our first National Conference 'Healing from Trauma and Moving On' taking place in November this year.

As always, Staf's diary is busy with focus groups, Managers' Forums and Practitioners' Gatherings (see the dates below), and there are lots of good, free resources to enjoy.

Lastly, we have written our response to the implications of continuing care based on all that you have told us...let us know if we have got it right.

All the best,

Norma
Changing Minds, Changing Lives
23rd May 2018, COSLA Conference Centre

We have been working behind the scenes to develop a project which builds on all of the conversations, input and discussions that we have had with both yourselves and young people and adults with lived-experience of the justice system over the last 18 months.

In this course, Gerald Neil shares what works and helps people involved with the justice system to recover and move on.
National Conference: 'Healing from Trauma and Moving On'
27th November 2018, Glasgow Science Centre

Staf's first National Conference will bring together national and international speakers to share the latest findings and practice from neuroscience and trauma recovery, which will serve to strenghten our existing understanding as you deliver services to the young people in your care.

Early bird booking for members: £69.95 (available until 31st May 2018)
  • Free parking at the Science Centre
  • Tea and Coffee breaks
  • Buffet Lunch
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi Access
  • Lunchtime access to three floors of interactive exhibits in the Science Mall.
Creating an Active Citizen Platform to Watch our Young People Thrive
(Ruairi, Youth Development Worker)

We all know how important it is to give young people tools to deal with their trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). But how often do we look at other ways young people can thrive - namely through their desire to help others? Ruairi's blog describes one young person's civic engagement, and the difference this is making to his life.
Staf has been working as part of a consortium of colleagues from across the sector which has been meeting about the implementation of Continuing Care. Following our Implications of Continuing Care focus group meeting in February 2018, we produced a report looking at the current issues highlighted by our members, and the good practice already taking place across Scotland.
Care Leavers into Employment Focus Group

We're all painfully aware that care-experienced young people are over-represented in unemployment statistics. At our next meeting we will identify and consider the obstacles to implementation, what data we now need to collect to enhance our case for change and join up good practice that already exists.

Next meeting: 5th June 2018, 11.30 am to 2.30 pm
Supported Lodgings and Supported Carers Focus Group

This group continues to meet on a quarterly basis, collecting quantitative data about service provision across Scotland. Recent meetings have included discussions on corporate parenting, the Family Firm model, Champions' Boards, the Independent Root and Branch Review of Care and local initiatives to enhance and improve support for care-experienced young people. The group has also been consulted about adult placement policy changes and on the feasibility of Supported Lodgings schemes for young homeless people.

Next meeting: 6th June 2018, 11 am to 2 pm
Implications of Continuing Care Focus Group

The work of our Implications of Continuing Care focus group continues to grow and increase its influence and power for our members. At out next meeting we will continue our work on understanding the barriers to implementation, and what solutions and good practice already exist.

Next meeting: 21st February 2018, 12 pm to 3 pm
Save the dates for our upcoming Managers' Forum and Practitioners' Gathering at the Albert Halls, Stirling!

Our next Managers' Forum will be taking place on 19th September 2018, while our Practitioners' Gathering will take place on 30th October 2018.

Keep an eye out for more information on these events over the summer! Information will be posted on our website
Here are some links to pieces of research, articles and other media that we hope you will find of interest to support your work:
(YouTube) The Neurobiology of Relationships and Community, Dan Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine - In this fascinating presentation, Dr Dan Siegel looks at the links between neuroscience, adolescence, relationships and community.

(PDF) The Cost of Caring: Secondary Traumatic Stress and the Impact of Working with High-Risk Children and Families, Bruce D. Perry, M.D., PhD., ChildTrauma Academy - This booklet by Dr Bruce Perry, Founder and Senior Fellow at the ChildTrauma Academy, presents an overview of secondary trauma, with the aim of giving readers a better understanding of how working with traumatised children and young people can affect us personally and professionally.

(YouTube) SevenSlideSeries: The Human Brain, Dr Bruce Perry, M.D., PhD, ChildTrauma Academy - This short video from the ChildTrauma Academy gives a brief introduction to core concepts about brain structure and function that provide the basis for developmentally sensitive and trauma-informed caregiving, education and therapy.

(External Website) Stand Up for Siblings - We know that children who face adversity greatly value their relationships with their brothers and sisters. Stand Up for Siblings is a new collaborative project aimed at protecting the rights and promoting the wellbeing of brothers and sisters in such circumstances.

(News Report) Treating Childhood Trauma, Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey reports on how trauma plays a role in childhood development and waht methods are being used to help children and young people who have experienced it for American news channel CBS.

(YouTube) Chantal's Miracle, Create Global Healing - This video tells the story of Chantal, a young woman who survived the genocide in Rwanda, and overcame losing her family to become a successful shop owner with the help and support of Dr Lori Leyden and Project Light.

Recommended Reading
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