I can now write about the latest film I’ve produced for ITV Wales looking at adoption and special guardianship – called Forever Families.
Adoption is something you tend not to think about if you are a secure family unit – but the truth is that there are so many children out there who need help. But adoption has changed dramatically over the years and now we are in a situation where there are not enough people coming forward to adopt children. Note the use of that word. Adoption is rarely about babies now. It’s more likely to be about children and often siblings.
Why? Well, it seems from my research that it’s due to the fact that social services departments and the court system will give birth parents every possible chance to sort out their lives should their children be taken into care. This means that many children can be with foster carers for quite a long time before a final decision is made about their futures ie. should they be adopted? It’s a matter of debate about whether or not that’s a good thing.
Adoption - it ain't what it used to be.....
One reason, it’s suggested, for adoption not being as popular is the fact that the process takes a long time. A very, very long time. Adoptive parents have to go through a long assessment process, and if anything bad happens in their lives during that assessment period that can mean further delays. The families I interviewed both felt that delays were more about inefficiency and possible lack of resources, than about the child‘s welfare. However, one has only to think of Baby P to know that being careful can save lives.
I’d be really interested to hear any of your stories about adoption. Were you adopted? How has it affected your life? Have you tried to adopt and lost heart in the process? The Welsh Government is holding an inquiry into this issue and will be considering how to change the system by the end of 2012. It could lead the way when it comes to change….watch this space, I feel a follow-up coming on…..
About Fiona
We have just spent 2 years going through the process, and have now given up. Delays, long process and finally a council panel which treated us like dirt. I will now do my best to put everyone off the whole process.
Alan, I’m so sorry to hear this and hope that in Wales at least things will change. Having met children whose lives have, in some cases, been saved by new families or foster carers, it offends me to think that people are put off the process because it’s too long-winded. Rather than put people off the process, couldn’t you write to your MP and ask that he puts your experience before Michael Gove MP who is looking in to the process at the moment. That might be a more positive step to take, possibly….
I fully understand where you are coming from. We have been going through the motions for six and a half years. Just about to call it a day as our commitment has been questioned! The whole experience has been horrible and I’m not really sure why we have stuck at it this long. We have been expected to say yes sir no sir three bags full sir any thing yoy say sir! I have had enough and value my self respect far too much. We have so much to give but the ‘system’ does not think so.
Thank you so much for commenting. So sorry to hear you’ve had such a terrible experience, I wonder how much has been done to bureaucracy and delays which hold little common sense. Please contact your local MP and just outline your experiences as this is something the government is looking at the moment and if people like you don’t at least make a complaint – things can’t change. If you are in Wales, the Welsh Government are reviewing the system now – you can also contact Adoption UK, an organisation which can provide invaluable support.
I am an adopter with a lovely 4 year old boy – but from the start of the process Social Services were really, quite inefficient. For me, this wasn’t a problem, but for the children who are left waiting, it really is.
My little boy was known about by social services at birth, was removed finally at 17 months, into foster care, where court cases went on & on. He finally moved in with me at 2 years 3 months.
The fact that SS gave my boy’s birth parents my contact details, so we have had to move/change name etc has not made it any easier!
Thank you for commenting, I have heard of adoptive parents having to change their names etc previously and so sorry that this happened to you. It sounds like one of those cases where many, many chances were given to the birth parents to keep their child and one has to question, I think, where the line is drawn in that regard. I’ve also heard from birth parents who feel they are not given sufficient chances to change their behaviour. While I can see both sides, it’s easy to forget the child in the middle and the effect uncertainty has on them – an effect which will impact from as young as six months, it’s now believed. I wish you and your family much happiness and peace in the future.