Blogs Adoption

Many of the children would have suffered abuse – neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. They may have been exposed to drugs and alcohol before they were born (in utero) as their birth mother was using drugs and or alcohol during pregnancy. They may also have been exposed to drugs and alcohol use in the home after birth as their birth parents or people in the home were using substances in the home. Many children have been exposed to domestic abuse within the home – seeing or hearing the incidents or even becoming involved.

Most of the children needing adoption would have suffered neglect of some kind as neglect is a common element with other forms of abuse. Neglect could be in relation to their physical needs not being met, such as lack of nutritious food, their hygiene needs not being met by their carers or lack of appropriate supervision. They may have experienced neglect of their emotional needs and inconsistent care as their birth parents were not able to consistently meet their needs and prioritise the child’s needs above their own.

Concerns about the child’s welfare are often identified by professionals, such as teachers, doctors or social workers and sometimes family members or neighbours. These concerns are reported to Local Authorities’ Children’s Services. An initial assessment will be completed by a social worker to determine if a child is at risk of harm. If there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm, a more detailed investigation (Section 47 enquiry) is conducted under the Children Act 1989. A Strategy Discussion is held which involves multi-agency collaboration (e.g., police, health services, education) to decide the course of action that needs to be taken to safeguard the child from harm.

An Initial Child Protection Conference is convened to decide if the child should be placed on a Child Protection Plan. This plan outlines the actions needed to support the family and to safeguard the child with the aim of reducing the risk.

In exceptional circumstances where immediate protection is needed, emergency action can be taken to remove the child from harm. The child may be placed in foster care or an appropriate person within their family and friends’ network. The need for this action is rare as the aim is to keep families together where possible.

If the child's situation doesn’t improve, the Local Authority may apply for an Interim Care Order from the family court. This is the start of care proceedings which lasts approximately 26 weeks, but are sometimes longer. An Interim Care Order may be granted by a Judge, placing the child in temporary foster care or with relatives while further assessments take place. Once an Interim Care Order is granted, the Local Authority will be given parental responsibility for the child which is shared with anyone else who has parental responsibility for the child.

Alongside the court proceedings, Permanency Planning Meetings will be held. These meetings allow the Local Authority to parallel plan for all possible long-term plans for a child, including plans of adoption. This ensures that timely decisions are being made for the child’s future. Throughout this assessment process, efforts are made to support the birth families to enable reunification between a child and their birth family.

If adoption is assessed as in the best interest of the child, the Local Authority will apply for a Placement Order from the court. If this is Ordered, the child’s social worker and family finder will be searching to match the child with a suitable adoptive household. An Adoption Panel will review the match and make a recommendation as to whether the child should move to live with that particular adoptive family. Once approved, the child would move to live with the adoptive family following a period of transition. Adoptive parents can apply for an Adoption Order 10 weeks after their child comes home. When this order is granted, the adoptive parents will have full parental responsibility for their child.

Throughout the process of intervention by social services, the best interests of the child remains paramount throughout and the aim is always to make decisions within the timescales of the child to avoid unnecessary delay. This process aims to provide a safe, permanent and nurturing environment for children who cannot remain with their birth families.

It is important to remember that not only have these children experienced abuse but they will also have experienced loss prior to and during the involvement from Children’s Services. Children may have experienced multiple moves within their family/friends network before social care intervention. They may have been placed in foster care and many may have experienced numerous foster care moves. They have probably experienced changes in social workers through the process. Along with the impact of abuse, this means that the child may have had to deal with a lot of uncertainty and many losses in their young lives which may impact on their ability to form healthy and lasting attachments which is why therapeutic parenting is imperative for these children.

There is ongoing help available after the Adoption Order has been granted. The Post Adoption Support team is available for every adopted child and their family to cover any areas of need in relation to their adoption, such as supporting ongoing meaningful post adoption family time with birth family, identity work and life story work as it is recognised that adopted children may have a higher level of support needs.

There is ongoing help available after the Adoption Order has been granted. The Post Adoption Support team is available for every adopted child and their family to cover any areas of need in relation to their adoption, such as supporting ongoing meaningful post adoption family time with birth family, identity work and life story work as it is recognised that adopted children may have a higher level of support needs.