What to expect on Stage 2 training?

[topcat2014]

We have stage 2 training days coming up (three of them).

We have been told that they can be a bit 'harrowing' which seems fair enough.

Could anyone share a rough idea of the syllabus (for want of a better word)? Thanks.

For us they really were harrowing...

I really loved hearing from the people who had adopted - that was amazing. We heard from a wide variety of different people, people who had adopted and foster carers and then also adopted people. It was great to hear their stories, their difficulties but all of them said how happy they were and how they would not have it any other way.

The harrowing parts were all about the different sorts of issues the children would have. I am a teacher and occasionally have safeguarding courses and I always find those quite difficult to be honest - it's a side of society that I don't often encounter or discuss knowingly very often and the difficulties some people and children face are really quite difficult.

We did the training with only one other couple, so this made the bits of the training quite difficult as you were always expected to contribute. We were told that we were being tested but we didn't really see how. I find it stressful having to think of what you're going to contribute and say but the trainers make it quite easy to do so. It's difficult as you feel like you're in competition to ask the most questions and be the best adopters (at least I felt like this)...

They are not easy days, but they are good!

We just completed out training and were part of a big group - 6 couples and a single adopter. We actually found the training ok and really engaging.

Day 1 - trauma and attachment
Day 2 - grief and loss. Contact with relatives.
Day 3 - the process

There are definitely areas that are uncomfortable but you will be absolutely fine. The group excercise were really good and are what stuck in my mind the most and loved hearing from an adopter. I hope it goes well x

Thanks, all,