Kate Cairns - Attachment Conference

The day had arrived - Wednesday the 25th June 2008, when the enigmatic Kate Cairns was due to talk to us about attachment, trauma and loss.

Set in one of North Devon’s picturesque hotels, the entourage of people arrived. Foster carers, social workers, reviewing officers and many more from other agencies attended. We were delighted to welcome them all and to get into the structure of the day.

Kate Cairns talked of her own experience as a foster carer and what she had learnt and researched over the years. Particularly interesting was the brain development of babies, the attunement between carer and babies and the hyperarousal and dissociation, when in early life adults do not enable the baby to regulate stress.

After a buffet lunch in the garden, the afternoon looked at the three phases of treatment where the importance of stabilisation, integration and adaptation in terms of trauma and resilience were reflected upon.

I can honestly say this was a powerful training for me and I am sure that all that came thoroughly enjoyed it with plenty to take away and incorporate into the good work that is already done!!

SR
Student Social Worker.