‘Adoption Parties’ come to Scotland
Cattle markets for kids, or the only way to fix a broken care system?
800 additional foster families are needed across Scotland. Matches are often not found because prospective parents are looking for young babies.
Robin Duncan, manager of the Adoption Register Scotland, said: “Most people’s initial reaction [to the scheme] is a sharp intake of breath. But we have spent a lot of time making sure that this works for the children and to make sure that they ... don’t feel rejected. What’s encouraging is that everyone who’s been has said that it’s been really positive.”
The “adoption parties” involve themes such as pirates and princesses, games, face-painting, and fancy dress for both adults and children. Other alternatives that have been introduced in recent years include adoption exchange days at which adopters can speak to social workers, see photographs and watch videos of children looking for families.
“Ultimately there are no risk-free options,” Duncan said. “If we don’t try different methods there is a risk of children not finding families and remaining in the care system.”
Siobhan Carroll, head of fostering and adoption for Barnardo’s Scotland, said the struggles to find placements were common to all local authorities and agencies across the country. In 2016, the charity received 604 referrals from local authorities looking for foster families for harderto-place children. However, families were only found for 22 children and young people.
“I think this clearly demonstrates that current need for foster carers is still significant. We are seeing a rising complexity of issues – we see abuse and trauma, children who have been sexually exploited, as well as asylum-seeking children.
“Some are scared, some need support and others need time to adjust. But they all need love – that’s not a word we shy away from – they need someone to listen to them and who they can trust. We are not trying to replace people’s birth families. But we want children to experience a sense of family life that can give them the opportunities and experiences they might not have had before.”
Jules Davison and her husband Jon, who are now retired and have three grown-up children, offered respite foster care until they met their foster son, then nine. “We just fell in love with him,” she said.
It took over a year for the arrangement to be finalised, a process the former head-hunter found frustrating and bureaucratic. Four years later the positives outweigh the difficulties. “When he came to us he couldn’t read or write. Now he reads Harry Potter under the covers with a torch. He plays rugby and goes to Scouts, and is doing so well at school. Fostering gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to someone’s life.”
When he came to us he couldn’t read or write. Now he reads Harry Potter under the covers with a torch