APPENDIX 29
Memorandum by Adoption UK (MS 35)
INTRODUCTION TO
ADOPTION UK
1. Adoption UK is a national self-help group
which provides support, information, advice and encouragement
to prospective and established adopters. Founded in 1971 as PPIAS
(Parent to Parent Information on Adoption Services), Adoption
UK is a registered charity with a membership of over 3,500 people,
including those with experience of all kinds of adoption.
2. Members can access a range of support
services and publications through Adoption UK, including:
— links with other adoptive parents
and children though groups run by local adoptive parent volunteer
co-ordinators;
— support and information on individuals'
adoption experiences through our "Erbie" database and
information exchange;
— links with local post-adoption or
after-adoption services;
— an opportunity to be part of the
After Adoption Network within Adoption UK;
— a range of leaflets and resource
packs; and
— a members' library of books and videos.
3. Finally, members also receive Adoption
Today—our bi-monthly magazine—which includes:
— articles written by adoptive parents,
highlighting first-hand experiences both before and after adoption;
— features on issues relating to attachment
and the effects of separation and loss, abuse and neglect; and
— book and video reviews;
— "Children Who Wait"—profiles
of children who need new families.
THE PROVISION
OF TRAINING
FOR HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS WHO
ADVISE PREGNANT
WOMEN AND
NEW MOTHERS
4. In the light of Adoption UK's experience,
and aims and objectives, there is only one aspect of the terms
of reference which it would be appropriate for us to comment on,
that is:
"the provision of training for health professionals
who advise pregnant women and new mothers".
5. The first point to be made is that it
is unclear whether this part of the terms of reference refers
only to new mothers via pregnancy and birth or whether it includes
new mothers, whatever the route.
6. If the former, then the interests and
concerns of adoptive families would not be within the remit of
the sub-committee's terms of reference. If the latter, then the
sub-committee should make explicit reference to the needs of adoptive
families in its inquiry.
7. The committee needs to clarify whether
or not adoptive families should be included in the terms of reference.
Adoption UK would argue that adoptive mothers should be included
in the inquiry, on the basis that adoptive mothers should not
be excluded from mainstream post-natal services purely through
having adopted a child or children. If their needs are not specifically
addressed by mainstream post-natal maternity services, then the
required support is unlikely to come from other areas or services.
8. However, there are a number of differences
in an "adoptive mother-adopted child" relationship that
need to be addressed in the training of health professionals who
advise new mothers. Given that adopted children, particularly
where they are adopted from care, are one of the most vulnerable
groups in terms of the care and support they need during childhood
and early adulthood, it is essential that health professionals
are aware of the unique issues they may face in helping a new
adoptive family. This is given extra weight by the government's
commitment to increase by 40% by 2004-05 the number of looked
after children who are adopted, up from 2,700 in 1999-2000. The
total number of looked after children who were adopted during
the year ending 31 March 2002 was 3,400 (Department of Health
statistical bulletin 2002/24, published November 2002).
9. One issue health professionals may face
is that the children of adoptive mothers may not be babies. During
the year to 31 March 2002, the average age of a child adopted
from care was four years and five months (statistical bulletin,
previous reference). Only 5% of those adopted in that year were
under the age of one, while those aged between one and four made
up 60% of those children adopted from care. The remaining 35%
were aged between five and 15. These figures show the need for
health professionals to be able to support new adoptive mothers
in ways appropriate to parenting an older child.
10. Another vitally important issue is that
children adopted from care are likely to have experienced early
childhood trauma and, therefore, have special needs which may
make additional demands on parenting. Not least among these will
be the child's ability to make healthy attachments, driven by
his or her separation from the birth mother, which may have been
compounded by other experiences of maltreatment, such as neglect,
abuse, inconsistency of care and multiple moves within the care
system.
11. It is essential that all health professionals
who engage with this group of new mothers have access to training
which informs them specifically about the needs of adoptive families.
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