Dr. Andressa M. Gadda CELCIS PaCT Research Associate ‘…because you need to hear that somebody’s having a bad time like you are, because then you actually feel better.’ The importance of peer support in post- adoption support

Overview Background Theoretical underpinnings The program Main findings Questions

Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland works with partners to improve the care experience and outcomes for all looked after children places the interests of children at the heart of its work provides a focal point for the sharing of knowledge and the development of best practice provides a wide range of services to improve the skills of those working with looked after children

Background Post adoption support program introduced by a Scottish Voluntary Adoption Agency in Aim: to support development of secure attachments between adoptive children and parents through play. Program based on the principles of Theraplay®

Attachment theory Secure attachment between child and primary care giver is fundamental for healthy child development Children who experience inconsistent caregiving and maltreatment are more likely to develop insecure patterns of attachment

The program Six session of 90 minutes once a month. First and final sessions - carried out at family’s home. Four group sessions at VAA’s office. – First half – structured play. – Second half – unstructured play. – Groups organised according to child’s age.

The evaluation -Realist approach -Multi-method -Questionnaires with parents and practitioners at the start and end of program -Interviews with parents two months following the end of the program -Diaries completed by parents during the program.

DataQ - parents (t1)Q – professional (t1) Q - parents (t2)Q – professional (t2) InterviewDiaries Child’s name HarrisYYYYYY TraceyYYYYYY BenYYYYYN TomYYYYYN KevinYYYNYY BethYYYYNN CallumYNNNNN EdYYNNNN HeatherYYYYNN MoragNYYYNN VinnieYYYYNN WillYYNYNN

Findings ‘I think that the games and the nurture or attachment behind the games was very interesting. It wouldn’t have been something that I would have personally thought about.’

Findings ‘It was nice to be able to sit with the social workers and for them to look at him […] That was really helpful as well having, you know, experts in the room telling us what the signs are and telling us is positive…’

Findings ‘…I am very grateful to have been part of the sessions and believe they have helped us relax more about attachment and stress less.’ (Sandra)

One of the things that they tell you in the training, the preparation courses, is that attachment is a big thing, a big big issue, and we do, it did make me almost like paranoid that maybe we wouldn’t have that, that it wouldn’t happen so obviously we focused on that and I think a lot of other people focus on that as well. (Sally)

‘We are closer now and our son is much more affectionate. It's hard to measure whether that is a direct result of the sessions or simply a factor of time and his aging. But I am very grateful to have been part of the sessions and believe they have helped us relax more about attachment and stress less.’ (Carol)

‘I mean I definitely think that parents are receptive to these things because it’s a support for them you know [...] because you need to hear that somebody’s having a bad time like you are, because then you actually feel better.’ (Karen)

Because it’s different, I mean, it’s different, when you’re kind of in a mother toddler group and you’re starting to talk about, you know, parenting and stuff…there’s loads of issues that are the same, but there’s just something about having that king of unspoken conversation about the process that you’ve gone through, that you can shortcut which we found really helpful.

Questions Focus on attachment – Too much? Too negative? Post-adoption support – When? How? Who for?