Web lectures
The Flagsystem part 1: How to understand and assess sexual development
By Erika Frans, developer of The Flag System and policy maker in the prevention of unacceptable sexual behaviour at Sensoa, Belgium
In this lecture, Erika Frans emphasizes the importance of understanding all aspects – cognitive, emotional and physical – of the sexual development of children. She introduces the evidence-based Flag System. This system identifies problematic sexual behaviour of children (0-18 years old) and enables to talk and think about sexuality, desires, boundaries, and gradations of sexual behaviour.
The Flagsystem part 2: How to address the needs of (vulnerable) children
By Erika Frans, developer of The Flag System and policy maker in the prevention of unacceptable sexual behaviour at Sensoa, Belgium
In this lecture, Erika Frans explains how children can be supported in their sexual development. She focusses on the needs of vulnerable children, for example children that grow up in residential or foster care. She explains what professionals can do to support these children, both in short term responses as well as considering long term pedagogical strategies.
Traumasensitive practice in residential care
By Liesbet Dillen, professional at the youth and family center Wingerdbloei in Belgium
Many children in care have experiences that can be qualified as trauma. In this lecture Liesbet Dillen explains how care workers can act to support children who have experienced trauma. Her main message is not only to address the behaviour of children in care, but also help them regulate emotions. She illustrates how this can be done.
The experiences and identity development of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, and/or Questioning young people in care – and the services that support them
By Christine Cocker, Senior lecturer in social work, School of Social Work, University of East Anglia, England
LGBTQ young people in care face additional challenges in comparison to their peers. They have to manage their minority identities and cope with stigma, in addition to the possibilities of homophobic bullying, violence and inadequate responses of care professionals. In this lecture, Christine Cocker tells about the first study ever of LGBTQ young people in care in England (research performed by Jeanette Cossar). The lecture focuses not only on the vulnerability of LGBTQ children in care and the risks they face, but also on their strengths and resilience and the support they receive from their foster families and professionals.