austraLasia #2304


Where is home?
Exploring therapeutic interventions with children in out of home care and their families

MALTA: 5th December 2008 -- The following information may be of considerable interest throughout our Region and indeed the English-speaking Salesian world. Read on:

A three day Conference, to be held at the Hilton Malta International, St Julian's, will be organised by the St Patrick's Salesian community from 12-14th March 2009, entitled "Where is home?": Exploring therapeutic interventions with children in out of home care and their families. The event will include a one day pre-conference workshop on 11th March, entitled 'Learn the child', which will explore strategies and interventions for educators and carers to help children with their learning.
    The Conference will feature exponents in the field from organisations around the world, experts involved in the provision of therapeutic support to children in a variety of out of home placements and their families, as well as contributions from Maltese professionals, agencies and other bodies. The term 'out of home care' includes foster care, residential care, therapeutic residential care, amongst others.
    The overall aim of the Conference will be to enable participants to engage with the dilemmas and challenges that out of home care poses for children and their families. While giving voice to the issues, it will be done in an atmosphere of respect for confidentiality and the dignity of persons, say Conference organisers.
    St Patrick's itself offers residential placements to boys aged 9-16. Some attend mainstream education whilst others have access to St Patrick's school which offers education in small groups and within the Salesian ethos. Services include residential social work, with a Support Services Team including a psychologist, dramatherapist, educational psychologist a Family therapist and a Gestalt psychotherapist.
    One similar institution in the EAO Region, Boys Town Engadine (Sydney, Australia), has already visited St Patrick's just a month or two ago and appear to be most positively impressed with what is being done there.  Organisers of the event are hoping that Boys Town will either be able to attend the Conference or at least be involved via a Video Link.
    As is usually the case with events of this kind, there is a special Early Bird Registration Fee, available until 20th December 2008. Readers might also like to take a look at the Conference website:  www.whereishomeconference.org

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Title: australasia 2304
Subject and key words: SDB General, Out of home care
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2304