Assessment
- More training at the beginning e.g. ‘Parenting our Children’’
- Acceptance and non judgement of adoptive parents
- More clarity on the needs of traumatised childrenRecruitment to take into account the needs of traumatised children
- Buddying systems introduced from the outset and from a non social care background
- Consistency of staff to support building relationships
- Provision of training for support network and extended family
- Clarity on where to go for help and what financial support in available
- Support if there is an impact on the adopters employment
- Support in finding schools
- Preparation for specific groups e.g. siblings and older children
- Assistance for specific issues e.g. language/ethnicity/culture
- Practical strategies need to be provide
Placement
- Support for others involved with children after placement e.g. schools, GP surgeries, extended family
- Introductions should be well planned and structured
- Adopters need to be ‘ready’ for the children
- There should be an assessment of adoptive parents needs and wishes
- Practical advice should be available on behaviour management of the traumatised child
- Good quality life story work which is age appropriate and factually correct
- Foster carers should be well prepared and helpful with as many meetings as necessary to discuss needs and routines
- More opportunity with the placing social worker to discuss child’s background / difficult life experience
- Early access to parent mentors (not social workers)
- Robust system to ensure vital info is not lost e.g. red book, hospital band, details of birth weight / length, immunisations, illnesses, feeding issues, when sitting, when walked, when talked, first tooth
- Opportunity for ‘Life Appreciation’ Day