MOVING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING YOU KNOW TRANSITIONS MOVING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING YOU KNOW

What is transitioning? What is transitioning? ACCENTS , LOCAL WORDS, PHRASES WHAT I’M TOLD THE FUTURE WILL BE PETS, MY COMPANION WHO VISITS ME CONTACT WITH SIBS NURSERY WORKER/ TEACHER SMELL OF CLOTHES, THE AIR WHERE MY THINGS ARE HOUSE LAYOUT, MY SAFE CORNER STREET NOISES WHO IS AVAILABLE FOR CUDDLES, IF I WANT THEM TASTES TEXTURES MEAL RULES SNACK RULES MY IDENTITY

What research tells us – Julie Selwyn Children were statistically more likely not to be living at home if their adopters considered the introductions to have been handled badly. There were three main reasons why introductions were thought not to have gone well: Poor timing - moving around key events (birthday/Christmas) Support from workers was absent/extremely limited (bank holidays). Significant other events – example Birth mother having a baby. The time spent introducing the child and the adoptive family ranged from 1-56 days. A usual pattern was introductions lasting about 14 days, although nearly two in five children (37%) moved into their adoptive home within a week. Thirty-nine percent of adopters thought that overall, the introductions to the children had been handled well, 31% rated them as reasonable, whilst a similar proportion (30%) thought that the introductions had been badly handled. Poorly managed introductions were mentioned far more frequently by adopters whose children had left home. 1) poor timing, 2) poor planning 3) Speed Poor timing Some parents described how little thought had been given to the timing of the introductions, with children moving into their adoptive homes on or around key events such as a birthday or Christmas or at times when support from adoption workers was absent or extremely limited (for example, bank holidays). One child moved into his adoptive home within days of his birth mother having a baby. He knew that she was planning to keep the child. Other children had untimely good-bye meetings with birth parents in the days before starting introductions with the adopters.ions were mentioned far more frequently by adopters whose children had left home. Poor planning Adopters spoke of arrangements which had not been properly thought through, such as in the case of one adoptive mother who had been given B&B accommodation in the street adjacent to the birth mother’s house. Another mother described how she had been left to organise her own accommodation during the introductions: I don’t think anything [Children’s Services] did was planned well. There was no helping me out, nothing towards the costs, no thought about how would I get there … So I went down and stayed with my brother. I slept on his sofa for the introductions. (Left home) 121  2 (1)= 7.00, p Rushed introductions There was a feeling amongst several adopters that the introductions had been rushed. Such hastiness was often linked to the children’s fostering situation. A few foster carers had issued an ultimatum to the local authority, giving a date by which the fostering arrangement must end because they wanted the child moved on or a holiday without foster children had been booked. Parents described how rushed introductions had affected the transition between the foster and adoptive families. For example, one mother explained how she had been persuaded to accept a plan of introductions, even though her husband was not available that week. The social worker insisted that his involvement was unnecessary. The school aged child moved into her adoptive home within a week, having met her prospective father only twice. The adopter subsequently discovered that the foster placement had been on the verge of disrupting. In the event the prospective adoptive father chose not to legally adopt the child, leaving his wife to proceed as a single parent.

What research tells us Poor planning given B&B accommodation near birth mother. organise own accommodation, no costs, “So I went down and stayed with my brother. I slept on his sofa for the introductions.” Rushed introductions - Hastiness was often linked to the children’s fostering situation. Foster carers have issued ultimatums, holiday. Has affected the transition between the foster and adoptive families. For example, one mother explained how she had been persuaded to accept a plan of introductions, even though her husband was not available that week. In the event the prospective adoptive father chose not to legally adopt the child, leaving his wife to proceed as a single parent. The social worker insisted that his involvement was unnecessary. The school aged child moved into her adoptive home within a week, having met her prospective father only twice. The adopter subsequently discovered that the foster placement had been on the verge of disrupting. In the event the prospective adoptive father chose not to legally adopt the child, leaving his wife to proceed as a single parent.

CCS CCS’s approach to transitioning 1 Matching risk assessment – identify issues early - mitigate 2 – child’s readiness 3 Identify – any gaps in SW support to FC or Adopters CCS 8 - Advocate 4 adopters – practical/financial issues 4 Prep adopters for potential hazards in this specific intro 1 – what do we know what do we not? How can we fill the gaps 2 - any/quality prep? Msgs from foster carer? Or recent msg from birth family? Therapy or new msgs needed once on placement? 3 – cover support issues at CCS with colleages or managers, ensure 24/hr support available. FC an IFA? Has a support worker? Know anything about intros? 4 - risk of birth family, foster carer wants to keep the child, it will be hard 5 – get vitamins, sleep, don’t work up to the intros 6 – child goes to random accommodation ? Clear of where is new home? FC travel to CCS? 7 – have expectations set at planning mtg, child needs led, not FC led. 8 - £ for petrol and accommodation – sometimes it’s a fight, suitable accommodation nearby? 7 –post intro contact - discuss in advance 6 – accommodation – child sees? FC travel to CCS area? 5 advice adopters of the emotional/physical stress

Challenges to positive introductions Inexperienced FC, not moved a child to adoption before FC wants to keep the child ( overt or covertly) FC dislikes adopters or their demographic Child/ren are separating from sibs at this point Anyone changing introductions plans without clear communication to all FC being an IFA and/or have limited support Speed of introductions is affected by external non child centred issues ( FC holidays, illness, new placement, work etc). No review or lack of flexibility by one party ( maybe LA), in terms of changing plans during introductions when needed. Poor or new relationship between adopters and their support worker.

Case study 1 - unique transitions during EP placement Couple approved at CCS Link with EP baby identified X months later. Baby ? Mnths old Baby’s experiences of contact whilst in FC. Transitions from FC to couple Awareness and understanding of risk of EP Events in court – new assessment of birth mother EP baby with Birth mother for 12 week assessment New contact plan Assessment ended – Baby returned to adopters Placement and Adoption order, comments by birth mother

Case study 2 – sibling placement, disruption and 1 child returns 2 sibs – history of birth family experiences History of FC experiences Couple approved + linked Introductions Intense few weeks and disruption Creative options Assessments and children’s wishes New introductions and 2nd placement.

The Relationships The adopter/s The adoption SW The FC SW The foster carer The Child/ren The birth family The child’s SW

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