Children’s needs and adoption:
Very few children who need placing for adoption today can be considered as ‘straightforward’. The children we place with our adopters will have experienced varying degrees of disruption, insecurity and unfortunately, neglect and abuse. Some children’s backgrounds and pre–care circumstances can be very varied and often quite complex. We therefore work very closely with our prospective adopters to prepare for a range of behavioural, emotional and practical issues which can result from a child’s difficult background.
Adopted children have the right to to grow up with an age appropriate understanding of their background and origins. Our approved adopters would be expected to share their knowledge of their child’s history as it grows up. We assist our adopters during preparation and assessment and if necessary, via our post adoption service with issues such as this.
We are committed to greater ‘openness’ in adoption. As part of this commitment, we encourage adopters to assist with the exchange of information with a child’s birth relatives after adoption if this is considered to be in a child’s best interests.
If you have children of your own already and are seeking to add to your family via adoption, you need to be aware that we always look to place an adopted child as the youngest in an existing family by at least 18 months. This helps reduce potential problems of disruption for a placed child and importantly, the existing children of the family.
Some practical and emotional issues to consider:
Adopting is literally, a life changing commitment. It is probably one of the most important commitments you will make. We need adopters to be positive but realistic about adopting with us . We hope to discuss your interest in more detail soon, but it may help you to consider some of the following questions:
Do you have enough space (particularly bedroom space) to accommodate a child? Also, consider your present and circumstances and routine. Are you confident about being able to change these in order to meet a child’s needs?
What interest and support is available to you for an adoption commitment – family, friends etc?
Be prepared for a big change in your lifestyle! You will need to make some significant adjustments, both emotionally and practically, to adopt.
If you are in a relationship, is it stable and secure? How do you support each other? Are you equally committed to adopting?
A successful adoption will sometimes require advice and support after legally adopting, often for some years. You may need to access adoption support services and work closely with us and other agencies to achieve this.
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