The Phoenix – November 2014
Page 25
ADOPTION AND FOSTERING
W
ith a national shortage of Foster carers across the UK, there are more children than ever who need a caring and loving environment, which every child has the right to experience. Whether a crisis in the family, illness or relationship difficulties could be some of the reasons why a child is placed in care.
There are already so many fantastic individuals who foster and adopt children into their families- but we need more! At the Phoenix, all of our team are committed to raising awareness of fostering and adoption through our campaign not just for the month of May, but for an entire 12 months!
We will be highlighting the inspiring work of current carers, the extensive support and training that is available and the difference that you could be making in a young persons’ life. If you feel that you can offer this, or even if you would like to find out a little bit more – don’t hesitate! It could make the greatest difference to a child’s life.
With support from
Tottenham MP David Lammy adopts new baby daughter
L
abour MP David Lammy and wife Nicola Green have deciding to adopt a baby girl welcomed a third child into their family. The Tottenham MP and artist wife became guardians of Rose, who joins their sons Joshua, eight, and Theo, six, in the family home.
Adoption & Fostering Our ongoing campaign to help the children in need in our communities
More Support for care leavers
T
he issues facing young people who have recently left the care of the council have been explored by a working group of members. Councillors from the children and young people's scrutiny panel spoke to staff from the transition and leaving care team as well as care leavers themselves to find out what their concerns are, what support they get and how this meets their needs. Members found the experience 'eye opening' and have made various recommendations to children's services which will be monitored as part of an action plan. Councillor Liz Hazell, member of the working group, said: "It was good to get a feel for the problems care leavers were having. Some of the recommendations we have made are not onerous, they are small things that should be easy to address." Councillor Tina Jukes who also took part in the working group, said: "For example, young people told us that after 5pm they have no one to contact if they have worries or queries. The emergency duty team is there but that is not always what they need." The panel agreed to visit the young people again to see how they are getting on and will revisit the progress made on the recommendations at their December meeting.
Can you give a child a loving permanent home?
T
here 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. This year’s National Adoption Week (3-9 November), which is run by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), is focussing 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, but we spoke to Rob, who adopted two children with his partner earlier
this year and he told us:“If you are worried about it being too much too soon, to take on more than one at a time, I 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.”
He 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 and we also especially need more adopters to come forward for older children,
Of the new addition, Lammy said: “She’s beautiful “We are very lucky and we’re over the moon to be able to welcome her into our family.” He is currently on adoption leave from Westminster but will be fulfilling some duties in the constituency. He is campaigning to become is party's candidate for Mayor of London. children from some black minority ethnic communities 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 (BAAF) says:“The UK is one of the most open in terms of who can adopt. The most important thing is that you are child centred, 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. 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.
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