20th April 2011
Children’s Brain Development, Healing and the Role of Scotland’s Systems:
Exploring the implications ofneurodevelopmental research on law, policy and practice
Dear Annie
You are likely to be aware that there is a heightened awareness in Scotland of the importance of early life experience on children’s developing brains.Education, health and social work systems,inpartnership with the Third Sector, highly influence the conditions which promote children’s healthy brain development at all stages of their development. We are particularly concerned about how better to support looked after children and young people.
The New Centre, in conjunction with the Looked After Children Strategic Implementation Group, is hosting an ‘invitation-only’ working seminar for senior leaders on Friday, 27th May 2011 in the John McIntyre Conference Centre, University of Edinburgh, from 9.30 am -4.00pm with Dr. Bruce D. Perry M.D. Ph.D. As you may be aware, Dr. Perry is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and neurologist, researcher and author; he is a Senior Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, USA. This will be a cross-sector and multi-disciplinary event, with a view to stimulating creative thinking across systems.
In this working seminar, Dr. Perry will work with sector leaders to help us develop within Scotland a shared understanding of a neurodevelopmentally-informed approach to our work with looked after children. We will explore the implications of neurodevelopmental research on law, policy and practice frameworks in Scotland to determine the best way forward to working together to positively impact on children’s brain development. We will be considering the ways in which our systems support not only infant development but also the care of those children and young people who have been exposed to adverse experiences, abuse and trauma during their lives.
We would like to use this opportunity to explore with youa systemic approach to child and adolescent development in Scotland which is rooted in current research, knowledge and best practice in promoting the best opportunities forall of Scotland’s children. Furthermore, we are delighted to offer the CCPS 2places to join us for this ambitious and inspiring dayand would be grateful if you could please forward the names and email addresses of your nominees to my PA, Clare McCafferty at () by Wednesday, 27 April 2011. Individual invitations will then be sent to your nominees.
With thanks.
Best wishes
Jennifer Davidson Romy Langeland
Director Chair of SIRCC &
The New Centre for Excellence for Looked After ChildrenChampion of LACSIG Care Planning