Support for adoptive families to be improved

ADOPTIVE families in Wales will receive better support to help with the challenges of being a parent to adopted children.

The National Adoption Service for Wales (NAS) is announcing that, while becoming an adoptive parent is rewarding and fulfilling, it can be “tiring and demanding”, as adopted children may have “additional needs”.

In their annual report published today, NAS says that nearly half (47%) of children in the Wales Adoption Study had experienced four or more “adverse childhood experiences” before they were placed for adoption, and that access to support for both parents and children is key to prevent placement breakdown.

NAS director Suzanne Griffiths of operations said: “We are pleased that children are facing fewer delays and that all agencies actively support adopters from the very beginning to understand the needs of the children who need or are likely to need adoptive families.

“We encourage people thinking about adopting to come to the process with an open mind and considering the needs of children who are waiting to be adopted.

“We want to ensure that useful information about adoption support is easy to access and directs people to the right service, whether they need specialist advice or an assessment for support.”

The NAS report also shows that, in the year to March 31, 2017, the organisation has maintained the previous improvement in the average time children wait before adoption placement, at 15.6 months.

Ms Griffiths said that following feedback from parents and adopted children, they have made education services more ‘adoption aware’ and fostered closer links between regions and mental health services for young people.

The work of the National Adoption Service and its Governance Board is supported and advised by an Independent Advisory group.

The chairman of the advisory group, Phil Hodgson, said: “The Annual Report reflects well on the work of those involved in adoption work in Wales and shows commitment to deliver relevant and dynamic adoption services.

“Adopters and children have made important contributions in providing clarity about their experiences and how services could and should look like. The report gives an opportunity to reflect on achievements whilst acknowledging that there is more to be done.

“We will continue to work collaboratively and collectively to deliver a positive response to the needs of children, young people and adopters.”

At the end of year to March 31 2017, NAS said there were 86 children on the Wales adoption register waiting to be adopted.

Of these 74% were older than two years and 62% needed to be adopted together with one or more siblings.

NAS said that the breakdown of adoption placements in Wales remains low, at around three to four per cent.