Family Matters October 2014 by The Voice newspaper

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“Adopting one child won’t change the world: but for that child, the world will change.”

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ADOPTION IN FOCUS

FAMILY MATTERS

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WE NEED A LOVING FAMILY Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye

SPONSORED FEATURES EDITOR

his year’s National Adoption Week (3-9 November), which is run by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), is focusing on siblings to encourage more people to consider whether they can give a loving, secure and permanent home to a sibling group and help stop brothers and sisters being separated. Some may feel daunted by the idea of adopting more than one child at the same time, BAAF spoke to one couple, who adopted two children earlier this year and they said: “If you are worried about it being too much too soon to take on more than one at a time, we would argue that it isn’t double the work load to adopt two at once. The transition is more likely to be smoother if they have each other there to lean on. They can entertain each other; keep each other company and it also helps

them still keep that connection to who they are and where they come from.” They went on to say: “There are so many reasons why adopting siblings are the right thing to do. Children from sibling groups deserve the right to be able to live with and grow up with each other. No child should have to be separated from their brother or sister. The bond siblings have between each other is so special and it is heart breaking to think about them being separated from each other unnecessarily. Now we have our beautiful two children I can’t even try and imagine the possibility of them being separated - it is just too devastating to even consider.” Of course, not everyone is able to adopt more than one child and there are thousands of single children who need a family too. For some children, being adopted with their siblings is not the best option for them. BAAF have especially

THERE ARE AROUND 6,000 CHILDREN WHO NEED TO BE ADOPTED EVERY YEAR IN THE UK AND NEARLY HALF OF THESE CHILDREN NEED TO BE ADOPTED TOGETHER WITH THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS PART OF A SIBLING GROUP. BUT SADLY THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF ADOPTERS WHO ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO COME FORWARD TO ADOPT THEM. highlighted for this year’s campaign the need for more adopters to come forward for children from black minority ethnic communities, older children and for children with disabilities or complex needs. Adopters from all walks of life are welcomed. You can be a married, in a civil partnership or an unmarried couple or you might be single. You can be gay or straight and you don’t need to own your own home.

You must be over 21, but you do not need to be under 40. John Simmonds, Director of Policy, Research and Development for the British Association for Adoption & Fostering told The Voice: “The UK is one of the most open in terms of who can adopt. The most important thing is that you are child centered, motivated to adopt and are willing and able to acquire the knowledge and particular

skills that adopters need.” “The adoption process will prepare and inform you every step of the way from initial inquiry to being matched and introduced to a child or children. It may be different, but it is as deeply rewarding as becoming a parent in any other circumstances.” So if you think you could become ‘mummy’ or ‘daddy’ to a child or children, please take that first step and find out more

in this very special Family Matters supplement. There are special adoption information events taking place throughout the UK and you can find out where your nearest event is happening at www. nationaladoptionweek.org.uk in the ‘What’s on’ section. Or visit www.first4adoption.org.uk to find out more about starting your adoption story, or turn to pages 10 and 11 to attend an event near you.

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ADOPTION

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Rishi (4) and Noor (3)

Sutton Family Finder

Rishi and Noor are maternal half siblings who have been with their foster carers since March 2013. This is their first placement since birth parents were unable to care for them. Rishi especially, has witnessed domestic violence at home and poor care from his parents. This has resulted in delay in his speech and development. When they are apart, Noor will asked for Rishi but Rishi only ask about their male foster carer. They do support and rely on each other. Noor is very good

at sharing; Rishi finds it hard to share especially if it is something that he likes. Noor and Rishi have been on holidays to Monaco and Egypt. They enjoyed their aeroplane experience and eating out in restaurants, eating everything using their knife and fork. Their foster carers describe Rishi and Noor as the most challenging but definitely the most rewarding children they have had since they began fostering several years ago.

Noor

Rishi

Ethnicity: Mixed Caribbean/white/Chinese and Sri Lankan Family needed: A nurturing two-parent adoptive family who can reflect or actively develop Rishi and Noor’s ethnic and cultural identity. Contact: Indirect contact is envisaged with their birth family Legal status: Placement Order and Care Order Support: Includes possible adoption financial support Preferred area for placement: Any in the UK If you have family that could meet the needs of Rishi and Noor please contact Paulette Facey Tel: 020 8770 4016 | Email: paulette.facey@sutton.gov.uk

Rishi is a happy-natured, delightful child who enjoys receiving positive attention from the adults in his life. He has a beaming smile and a cheeky sense of humour. Rishi is a shy and quiet child taking time to get to know people and seeking assurance from his foster carers. He gets a lot of confidence from his sister, Noor. Rishi is affectionate and often seeks comfort from his carer. Rishi ignores the family cat but is terrified of dogs and sudden loud noises. Rishi has speech and language delay but has made a vast improvement since being in his foster placement. Rishi can talk in short sentences and have a conversation. He finds changes difficult to begin with, so will need a planned transition. Rishi attends mainstream school and is now writing letters and enjoying it but has a short attention span. He struggled at school for the first month but with one-to-one support, he has made good progress. He also attends a group – Supporting Children with Speech Delay. He has made slow but definite improvement in lots of areas. Rishi’s social interaction has improved both at school and at home. Rishi will need support and understanding around his learning and development with firm but kind boundaries. Rishi likes his toy rockets, aeroplanes, cars, playing in the garden and going to the cinema.

Noor as she is known, is a happy and outgoing child, she is very sociable and will initiate friendly interactions with others. Noor loves pre-school, soft play, being outdoors and playing with friends. Noor enjoys going to the cinema. Noor is a typically girly girl, enjoying all things pink and wearing nail varnish. She also likes playing pretend games. Noor likes the family cat but is still scared of the family dog. Noor occasionally has tantrums when she is unhappy with something or if she is tired. She is very independent, sociable and likable. Her carers are able to take her everywhere as she is friendly and never causes any problems. She has a good attachment with her carers and their adult children and plays very well with babies, her peers, teenagers and adults alike. Noor attends pre-school 5 mornings a week, swimming and soft play once a week and she loves shopping. Noor has amazing vocabulary, she is able to play happily with her toys and her iPad, and she loves bags and putting things into bags.

ADOPTION

Sutton Family Finder

Caitlin (8) and Cameron (5)

Cameron

Caitlin

Meet Caitlin (8) and Cameron (5), they are very close and would like to be adopted together into their forever families. The children are very sociable and are popular amongst their peers. They require caring adopters who will help them to understand their past and help them to continue to thrive as they have done with their current carers. The children are white British, as are their current carers who they have a good attachment with. THEIR FOSTER CARERS SAID THE FOLLOWING: “Caitlin enjoys playing outside and doing fun activities like riding her scooter, playing on the trampoline and going to the park. She loves going on holiday with us. Caitlin loves playing with her brother Cameron. Caitlin also enjoys going to Badgers every week ( St Johns Ambulance). Caitlin tends to play with children younger than her. She is now able to join in with other children and will now play with other children wherever we go. Caitlin enjoys watching cartoons or a DVD. Caitlin can be a little bossy to her brother at times. Cameron makes friends with other children easily wherever we go. Cameron loves dancing and playing football. He is very loving and

enjoys to cuddle up and watch TV with you. Cameron likes to watch cartoons or a DVD. Cameron is very caring he would offer to share his sweets. He is doing well at school and meeting his targets. Cameron is willing to try new things like new foods and activities.” Caitlin is progressing well at school and is performing to expected levels academically. Caitlin likes to cuddle up to watch TV. Caitlin needs encouragement to persevere with new things or work that she finds a little tricky. Cameron is a fun, energetic boy who loves to play outside on the trampoline or riding his scooter or go kart. He loves playing with his sister Caitlin. Contact post adoption: Contact will be indirect twice per year via Letter Box birth parents. Indirect contact with their maternal grandmother. All enquiries must be outside of the Sutton and Croydon areas; there will be discussions about adoption allowance for the right adopters. If you are interested in finding out more about Caitlin & Cameron contact: Sherifa Adenmosun on 0208 770 4117 or sherifa.adenmosun@sutton.gov.uk

LEGAL STATUS: FULL CARE ORDER AND PLACEMENT ORDER GRANTED

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Sutton Family Finder

Georgina (6) and Lily (5)

Lily

Georgina

Meet Georgina (6) and Lily (5), they are very close and would like to be adopted together into their forever families. The girls are chatty and bubbly, they love to watch their favourite children’s programmes, dance and also play games or read books. The girls require caring adopters who will help them to understand their past and help them to continue to thrive as they have done with their current carers. The girls are white British, as their current carers. Both girls enjoy adult attention but also require boundaries, they enjoy good routines and are said to be doing very well in their infant schools. THEIR FOSTER CARERS SAID THE FOLLOWING: “Georgina is a real girly girl, she loves everything pink, dressing up, fairies and going shopping. She enjoys helping her carers and likes it when we go to the seaside, cinema or shopping. She’s artistic and enjoys making things. Georgina is an affectionate little girl who is very caring. Georgina is in the school choir and loves taking part in school activities. Lily is a tomboy girl who is inquisitive and friendly. She loves Lego and Spiderman. Lilly has settled well into infant school and enjoys trying out new things. She can be strong willed at times and therefore requires good boundaries. Being the younger of the two girls she likes to feel involved and not left out in activities. Both girls have healthy appetites; their two favourite foods are spaghetti Bolognese and also pancakes.” Contact post adoption: Contact will be indirect twice per year via Letter Box birth parents. Direct contact with their older sister who is adopted. All enquiries must be outside of the Sutton and Croydon areas; there will be discussions about adoption allowance for the right adopters. If you are interested in finding out more about Georgina and Lily please contact: Sherifa Adenmosun on 0208 770 4117 or sherifa.adenmosun@sutton.gov.uk

ADOPTION

Sutton Family Finder

Timothy (6) and Malachi (3)

Timothy

Meet Timothy (6) and Malachi (3), they are fun loving and active brothers who are looking forward to being adopted together into their forever families. They enjoy outdoor play and prefer this to watching the television. The boys have limited understanding of their current situation and therefore require caring adopters who will create a safe and open environment for them to develop and reach their full potential. The boys are of Caribbean descent and would require adopters who will be able to positively promote and afford them opportunities to explore this identity. They have thrived since being in foster care and have made good attachments with their foster family. THEIR FOSTER CARERS SAID THE FOLLOWING: “Timmy and Malachi have been with us for almost 2 years, Timmy was 4 and Malachi was 1. Both boys were very quiet, nervous and timid when they first arrived. Very slowly they gained confidence and trust and have developed into very noisy, boisterous, loud, loving and active little boys. Both boys have a very strong attachment to each other and are happy in each others company. They can now swim without floats and can ride a two wheel bike very well. They love food and will eat most things, favourite foods would probably be fruit, pasta, curry and yogurts (with the obvious inclusion of ice cream and sweets). Both boys are very loving and demanding of attention. Malachi is developing normally and at 3 years old is very opinionated, he can be very cheeky and can show his temper if he doesn’t get his own way. Timmy has a more delayed development; he can get very frustrated and angry very quickly which is displayed by crying or acting out. Timmy has a squint in both eyes which need regular hospital check-ups; it does not however impact his vision, he also attends speech and language sessions, audiology and has input to strengthen his motor skills from an occupational therapist. He has been recently referred to the looked after children’s Psychologist to try to help him understand his current circumstances. The boys need an adoptive family who would be patient, tolerant have and have a good sense of humour with a good support network and have plenty of energy and love for the boys.”

Malachi

Contact post adoption: Contact will be indirect twice per year via Letter Box birth parents. All enquiries must be outside of the Sutton and Croydon areas; there will be discussions about adoption allowance for the right adopters. If you are interested in finding out more about Timothy and Malachi please contact: Sherifa Adenmosun on 0208 770 4117 or sherifa.adenmosun@sutton.gov.uk

LEGAL STATUS: FULL CARE ORDER AND PLACEMENT ORDER GRANTED

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ADOPTION

Sean

Sean (8) and Brihanna (4)

Sean: DoB: March 2006 (8 years old) Ethnicity: mixed white British / black African

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Sutton Family Finder Sean and Brihanna have always lived together and have a good relationship although there is a natural level of sibling rivalry. Sean likes to look after his sister and will advocate for her and she looks to him for support. Sean has a cheeky grin. He is generally a happy boy but often focuses on negative experiences rather than the fun ones. Sean is very active and inquisitive with a loving and caring personality, but can get upset quite easily. He shows signs of insecurity and often seeks reassurance and praise, especially if his sister has just been praised for something. Sean is achieving well at school especially in literacy. He is popular and plays with girls more as many of the boys are passionate about football and play all the time. Sean loves music, colouring, drawing and making things, balls, cars and playing on the trampoline. He is interested in helicopters and fire engines and might like to be a fire fighter when he grows up. Sean can be a fussy eater and approaches all new vegetables with suspicion, but this summer started eating

strawberry’s and tomatoes for the first time. He likes home cooked food like shepherd’s pie or spaghetti bolognaise and roast dinners. Brihanna has a happy bubbly personality with an infectious laugh. She is very loving and has formed good attachments with her foster carers. She likes to cuddle, and will snuggle up close with her brother Sean when watching television. She has a wide vocabulary for her age and will talk to trusted adults; however she is initially shy of speaking in front of strangers. Brihanna enjoys playing with dolls and prams as well as being in the garden on the slide and trampoline. Brihanna started nursery in January 2013 and has settled really well and didn’t mind being left by her foster carer. She loves meeting with her friends and playing with different toys.

Brihanna

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If you have a potential family for Sean and Brihanna please contact: Jennifer Walker Tel: 020 8770 4945 Email: Jennifer.walker@sutton.gov.uk

Meet Sean and Brihanna half brother and sister

Could you be their forever family?

Brihanna: DoB: September 2009 (4 years old) Ethnicity: mixed white British / black African

FAMILY NEEDED: The children need an active family who can take them on outings to the theatre, the cinema, the park as well as organise out of school activities such as sports, arts and craft.

ADOPTION

Sutton Family Finder

Brooke (7) and Mercedes (4)

Mercedes

Brooke

Meet Brooke (7) and Mercedes (4), they are very close and would like to be adopted together into their forever families. Mercedes is known as Sadie. The children are very sociable and are popular amongst their peers. They require caring adopters who will understand their past and help them build new attachments with them. The girls enjoy singing, playing outdoors and going on holidays with their foster carer and her family. The girls are white British, as are their current carers who they have a good attachment with. THEIR FOSTER CARERS SAID THE FOLLOWING: “Brooke is a very bright and articulate girl. She is a very girlie girl who thrives on attention. Brooke loves art, singing and dancing and really enjoys the weekly dance classes she currently attends. Brooke responds well to clear boundaries and routines and has continued to make good progress at school. She eats and sleeps well and is a pleasure to care for. Sadie is a very bubbly and energetic

little girl who responds well to very clear boundaries. Sadie needs routine and she continues to make good progress at school. she has become a popular member of the class. Sadie enjoys nothing more than making people laugh; she enjoys singing, dancing and swimming but will join in a wide range of activities. Sadie is improving in her delayed speech, she eats and sleeps well and is a pleasure to care for.”

Contact post adoption: Contact will be indirect twice per year via Letter Box birth parents. Planned direct contact with their brother who is adopted. All enquiries must be outside of the Sutton and Croydon areas; there will be discussions about adoption allowance for the right adopters. If you are interested in finding out more about Brooke & Mercedes contact: Sherifa Adenmosun on 0208 770 4117 or sherifa.adenmosun@sutton.gov.

LEGAL STATUS: FULL CARE ORDER AND PLACEMENT ORDER GRANTED

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Your 10 steps to adoption 1. EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST Just thinking or definitely considering adoption? Contact your local authority or a voluntary adoption agency. All agencies have to work to agreed standards and are inspected regularly. It’s fine to talk to several, but you can only register with one 2. PREPARING TO ADOPT You may be asked to complete a form and invited to an information event where you can talk to social workers and adopters, or perhaps have an informal 1:1 meeting. You can then decide whether you want to register your interest in going further. At this stage you are selecting an agency you trust to take you through the assessment process.. In England there’s a two stage process. Stage One covers the basics. You will be asked to supply references and will agree for

medical and other checks to take place. You don’t need to be perfect though. Next you will be invited to attend a preparation group along with other prospective adopters to give you an insight into what adoption means today, learning more about the needs of the children waiting to be adopted. It will help you explore what you are able to offer and whether you wish to commit to the next stage. At the end of Stage One the agency will confirm that you’ve passed the checks and invite you to start Stage Two. Stage One should take no more than two months, but you may want to set the pace and take more time to think things through, which is fine. 3. YOU ARE ASSESSED The formal assessment process is required by law and carried out by a social worker. It is sometimes referred to as a home study. The assessing social worker will visit you at

home and you will talk through why you want to adopt, the kind of child you would best be able to care for and your overall suitability. You will also be invited to attend more detailed training to prepare you for adoption. In England this is known as Stage Two and you can expect it to take around four months. 4. GOING TO PANEL Your social worker writes up a report for presentation to an adoption panel. You will be invited to attend. Remember that most people who go to panel are approved! The panel makes the recommendation, but it will be the agency that approves you. 5. BEING LINKED WITH A CHILD As so many children are waiting, agencies are encouraged to explore linking you to a child or children before final approval. If there doesn’t seem to be a good match locally, the

net is spread wider through Exchange Days , Adoption Activity Days and national family-finding services such as BAAF’s Be My Parent, or Adoption UK’s Children Who Wait. If you have been approved but not been matched after three months you should be referred to the Adoption Register for England, Adoption Register for Wales, Scotland’s Adoption Register or the Adoption Regional Information System (ARIS) in Northern Ireland depending on where you live. Ask your social worker about this. 6. A MATCH IS MADE Once the link is made, you will be given more information about the child or children, including their family background, a history of their early years, why the child came into care, the child’s characteristics and any particular needs the child may have. When you have agreed the match, you will attend a matching panel, which will look

at whether or not to recommend the match. In Northern Ireland prospective adopters don’t attend the matching panel otherwise it’s the same. Once again, the final approval will be given by your agency. 7. MEETING THE CHILD You may have seen a video of your child, or even played together at an Adoption Activity Day. Formal introductions must wait till the match has been approved. They are well planned by the social worker, yourself and the foster carer (assuming the child is in foster care). You can expect to visit the foster carer’s house and plan outings, and the child will visit you at home, including overnight stays. Gradually, you will be getting to know each other and the child will move in as soon as you’re all ready. 8. MOVING IN An exciting and daunting time

for all concerned! It doesn’t take much to imagine the mix of emotions this can evoke. Most importantly, it marks the beginning of your life together as a family. You are entitled to statutory adoption leave and pay, and will continue to be supported by your social worker. 9. MAKING THE ADOPTION LEGAL After a minimum of ten weeks you can apply to the courts for an adoption order. This is the final legal step. It means the child will be legally yours and can take your surname. 10. YOUR LIFE TOGETHER Parenting is one of the most rewarding and most challenging jobs in life. There are bound to be ups and downs! Adoption support is widely available to see you through, so please ask your agency when you need help.

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More people than ever interested in adopting vulnerable children MORE THAN 96,000 PEOPLE INTERESTED IN GIVING A VULNERABLE CHILD A STABLE, LOVING HOME HAVE CONTACTED FIRST4 ADOPTION IN JUST 12 MONTHS AN AVERAGE OF 327 NEW CONTACTS EVERY DAY.

irst4Adoption, the new governmentfunded information service, was set up, over a year ago, to help address the serious shortage of adopters, which contributes to delays in finding loving homes for children. The service provides clear and impartial advice about adopting and helps put people in touch with local adoption agencies. Since first opening its doors for business in April 2013: • 94,752 people have visited the First4Adoption website and over 2,000 people have called the dedicated information line • of the 96,000 people who contacted the service, over 6,800 went on to directly contact an adoption agency of their choice - taking the vital next step in becoming an adoptive parent • use of the online service has grown rapidly from around 5,600 visits a month in April 2013, when it was launched, to over 27,000 in December 2013 Recent figures build on the successes of 2013, which saw a 34 per cent increase in adopters and a record 15 per cent rise in adoptions. The government earlier this year announced the appointment of Sir Martin Narey as the Chair of the Adoption Leadership Board - a new national initiative jointly developed by government, councils and voluntary adoption agen-

cies - to drive improvements in the adoption system and ensure there are enough adopters to provide homes for all the children who are waiting to be adopted. Former family lawyer, Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson, who grew up with 2 adopted brothers and over 80 fostered siblings, said: “Adopting a child is one of the most challenging but rewarding decisions a person can make. It is fantastic news that after just 12 months more than 96,000 people have reached out to this vital service. “However, we know there is still a shortage of adopters and that work needs to be done to ensure the 6,000 children who need a safe and caring home are placed more quickly. That is why our new Adoption Leadership Board - headed up by Sir Martin Narey - will play an important role in ensuring that not only local authorities and adoption agencies stay on track, but that we do what we can to improve the system and recruit even more adopters than ever before.” The board has a key role to play in providing independent advice to ministers, and is made up of senior members from key adoption organisations, including the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, the Local Government Association, the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption

Agencies, BAAF and Adoption UK. Sir Martin Narey, newly appointed Chair of the Adoption Leadership Board, said: “Ensuring we find adoptive homes for all the children in care who, generally because of the neglect they have suffered at home, can never return to their birth parents, has been a passion for me for some years. I am delighted to see that many of the recommendations I made to ministers in 2012 about adoption and siblings, adoption and contact, fostering before adoption, and ethnicity and adoption matching have now found themselves in law as part of the new Children and Families Act. “But there is still much more to be done before every child in England who needs the love and permanence that adoption brings finds an adoptive home speedily. And there is a great deal more needed to ensure that adoptive parents receive all the support that is necessary to ensure that their adoption succeeds.” Research published last year by the Department for Education shows that there could be up to 4 million people in England likely to consider adopting at some point in the future, yet up and down the country there are still 6,000 children waiting to be adopted. Continued on page 26

Thinking about adopting? Have you got what it takes to transform a child’s life? TACT welcomes adopters from diverse backgrounds. We are particularly keen to hear from black and minority ethnic adopters and those able to consider sibling adoption.

Benefits of adopting with TACT: • Child-focussed charity • High level of support • Ongoing training • Therapeutic services • Regular activity events For more information: T: 0203 642 9235 E: adoptionduty@tactcare.org.uk * TACT works with adopters in London and the surrounding area, the East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Buckinghamshire plus Milton Keynes, Oxford and Swindon.

tactcare.org.uk Registered charity numbers: England & Wales 1018963. Scotland SC 039052.

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Continued from page 25 The First4Adoption information service is just one of a comprehensive package of government reforms to overhaul the adoption system with the aim of recruiting more adopters and placing vulnerable children with a stable, loving home more quickly. The government have introduced a £19 million adoption support fund to help adoptive families access the tailored, specialist support they need, and have extended the entitlements that children in care have, so that these continue once the child has been adopted. This includes access to priority school admissions, the pupil premium and, eligibility for free early education for 2-yearolds. Support includes giving adopters new resources, including the adoption passport, which sets out their rights and entitlements as adoptive parents, and the new clickable online adoption maps, which allow potential adopters to find out more information about what’s in their area. The adoption reform grant has now been extended into 2014 - providing £50 million to councils to support them in implementing the changes in the Children and Families Act. A faster approval process has been introduced so the majority of people are approved within 6 months, and new rules ensure that prospective adopters and children are placed on the adoption register within 3 months.

As part of National Adoption Week, The Royal Borough of Greenwich in conjunction with the South London Adoption Consortium will be holding two events on Thursday 6th November 2014. The first, will take the form of a discussion, entitled “Boys - We love them”. This will primarily be focussing on boys, sibling groups and older children and particularly those children from Black and Minority Ethnic heritages within the care system. This session will be from 2.30pm – 4.00pm, where you will be able to hear from adopters and community leaders about the urgent need to recruit more adopters from the Black and Minority Ethnic communities in order to provide homes for these children.

Adopt a life The Royal Borough of Greenwich is The Royal Borough of Greenwich is looking to recruit adopters from all walks actively recruiting adopters from all of life and especially welcomes enquiries walks of life and especially welcomes from Black and minority ethnic families enquiries from Black and Ethnic Minority who are able to provide a child with a families who are able to provide a child loving, stable and secure home.

Adopt with Royal Greenwich

with a permanent loving, stable and secure home. For details of our information sessions, We regularly hold adoption information sessions contactthe theyear. adoption team 020 8921 2752 throughout For details of ouron information or www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/adoption sessions contact the adoption team on: 020 8921 2752 or visit our website: www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/adoption

The second session will be a joint Adoption Information Event. The session is aimed at providing those interested in adoption with detailed information about the adoption process. Each agency will be available to answer your questions about adoption and there will be a group of approved adopters who will be able to share their experience with you. This event will run from 4.30pm – 7.00pm Both events will take place at: Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RW. To attend either event you will need to register by logging on to: www.thesouthlondonadoptionconsortium.org.uk

ADOPTION TEAM

020 8921 2752

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Adoption changes lives

doption North London wants to find new families for local children who need to be adopted. They are jointly hosting an informal event on Sunday 9 November at the Holiday Inn Camden, London, NW1 7BY. From 12pm you’ll be able to meet parents who have adopted their children, people who were adopted when they were children as well as social workers – you can ask the adoption questions you have always wanted answered. Adopting a child can be an emotional journey, and this event gives you the chance to find out the real facts in a relaxed and friendly environment. Adoption North London is made up of six local authority adoption teams; Islington, Camden, Haringey, Hackney, Barnet and Enfield. They all work together closely to ensure information is shared quickly and efficiently, reducing any delays for children and the families waiting. Email info@adoptionnorthlondon.co.uk or call 0800 694 0101 and book your place today. You can adopt if you are single, married, in a civil partnership or living with your partner. We welcome families from all backgrounds. Circle with quote: ‘Two years after adopting our daughter Maisy, we are now the contented family we have always wanted to be; she is our daughter but she benefits from being part of a huge network of family and friends’ Lorna, adoptive mum. We welcome families living in and around the London area.

Adopt Live a life less ordinary

Thinking about adoption? If you would like to hear all about adoption from the true experts, adoptive parents and adopted people, come along to our information session.

Sunday 9 N ovember 2 014 12 noon - 2 pm (please arr ive promptl y) Holiday Inn , Camden T own, 30 Jamest own Road, London, NW 1 7BY

Adoption

North London is a partnership of six local authority adoption agencies: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Islington. We all work together to provide the very best possible service for children waiting to be adopted and for those wanting to adopt.

Book your place today 0800 694 0101 info@adoptionnorthlondon.co.uk www.adoptionnorthlondon.co.uk

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Nurturing children’s identity through adoption LEADING CHILDREN’S CHARITY AND LONDON’S LARGEST VOLUNTARY ADOPTION AGENCY, CORAM, HAS SUCCESSFULLY PLACED CHILDREN WITH BLACK, ASIAN AND MIXED HERITAGE FAMILIES FOR MANY YEARS. JEANNE KANIUK, OBE, THE CHARITY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ADOPTION, SAYS THAT MORE BME ADOPTERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP SUPPORT THE RACIAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AWAITING ADOPTION.

oram is a long established children’s charity and adoption agency with a record for recruiting adopters for children from a wide range of ethnic and faith groups. We believe that children are most likely to thrive if they can be adopted by families which reflect their own background. In England today there are over 6,000 children awaiting a new adoptive home, many of whom are siblings and will need to be adopted with their brothers and sisters. Most of these children have suffered from neglect or abuse and will be affected by the experiences that have brought them into care. Adoptive parents can help children like this to regain their trust in adults, and form loving, stable attachments. Therefore adoptive parents need to be committed to helping children feel happy and secure. Once they are living with stable and committed parents, most adopted children settle in their new families where they feel safe and loved. The UK adoption system is not always a familiar concept in more diverse communities and it can be challenging to find sufficient numbers of adopters for children of African heritage. Some of these children are also older by the time they need to be adopted. They may come from different faith backgrounds which means it is more difficult to find a new family who can match all the aspects of their background. Coram is holding adoption events across London and in the East Midlands during and after National Adoption Week and is passionate about welcoming more adopters who are African, African-Caribbean, Asian and of mixed heritage. This year we are also holding a special adoption event at Harrow Central Mosque for people considering adoption from a Muslim perspec-

tive. All of Coram’s adoption events are listed on our website here: www.coram.org.uk/adoption-events We pride ourselves on offering an outstanding post adoption support service to all families who adopt with us. We also provide specialist parenting sessions and one to one advice and guidance. Coram believes in the potential of all children and if you think that you could provide a loving home to a vulnerable child please contact us today.

OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 5, 2014 THE VOICE |29

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FAMILY MATTERS CORAM ADOPTION INFORMATION EVENTS www.coram.org.uk/adoption-events London adoption information meeting, Saturday 1 November Coram Campus, Russell Square, London | Coram Adoption is holding an information meeting for anyone interested in adopting in and around London Find out about adoption from a Muslim perspective, Friday 7 November Harrow Central Mosque | London The Coram-Harrow adoption partnership is holding a special event for those interested in adoption from a Muslim perspective North London adoption information meeting, Monday 10 November Stephens House & Gardens, Finchley, London Coram Adoption North London is holding an information meeting for anyone interested in adopting in and around North London South London adoption information meeting, Wednesday 12 November Battersea Library, Wednesday 12 November Coram Adoption South London is holding an information meeting for anyone interested in adopting in and around South London London adoption information meeting, Tuesday 18 November Coram Adoption is holding an information meeting for anyone interested in adopting in and around London Adoption in East Midlands, Tuesday 25 November Coram Adoption East Midlands is holding an Information Session for anyone in the area interested in adopting

Help give all Derbyshire children a home There’s around 630 children in care in Derbyshire and for many of them adoption is the best way for them to have a permanent, secure and happy family. Derbyshire County Council is looking for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to come forward and offer a home to a child in need. Adoption’s a lifelong commitment and, like all parenting, can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. You’ll be offered lots of support, advice and training on every step of your adoption journey – why not take that first step today? ADOPTIVE PARENTS MUST BE: • Over 21 years old • Legally resident in the UK for at least 12 months • Fit, healthy and energetic enough to provide a child with a family for their childhood and beyond • Able to provide love, empathy, commitment and understanding • Be flexible enough to adapt to the needs of a child who may have experienced significant trauma The adoption assessment process is in two stages and takes up to six months to complete. It’s an in-depth process that will look at you, your family and your support networks.

You can help him get there. Adopt with Derbyshire County Council Call Derbyshire on

0800 083 77 44

Derbyshire County Council is particularly looking for homes for sibling groups, older children and children with additional needs and disabilities. YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW . . .

• There is no upper age limit to adoption, we’ll consider it on a case by case basis • You don’t have to own your own home – you could be in rented accommodation • You do not have to be in employment • You can be single or in a relationship, married, in a same sex couple or in a civil partnership • You don’t have to be a parent already or qualified in any specific way • A disability is not necessarily an obstacle to adopting.

Or visit

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/applytoadopt

You can start the application process online by visiting: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/applytoadopt You can also find out more about adoption by visiting: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering or by calling 0800 083 7744.

30| THE VOICE OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 5, 2014

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CHILDREN LAW - HOW WE CAN HELP The welfare of children must be the paramount consideration

There are a range of legal issues which can affect children when parents separate, these include: • Where a child is to live (residence order) • What time a child spends with the other parent (contact order) • Whether or not the living arrangements can be shared (shared residence order) • Protective measures for a child (prohibited steps order) • Other issues that might arise e.g. surname, religion, schooling (specific issue order) • Legal rights in respect of a child (parental responsibility order) • Moving a child within the country or overseas (child relocation) • Unlawfully removing a child from a parent or country (child abduction)

When a court considers these issues, it will often take into account (except in some child abduction cases) the following welfare checklist: • The ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child • Any physical, emotional and educational needs • The likely effect of any change of circumstances • Age, sex, background and any relevant characteristics • Any harm suffered or at risk of suffering • How capable each parent is (or any other relevant person) of meeting the child’s needs • The range of powers of the court

Cases involving children must be dealt with delicately and sensitively. We are experts in children cases, including those with an international element where speed is often of the essence.