Are there central government rules and guidance that adoption agencies are required to follow at this time, in terms of adoption processes? Expand Not at this time. In England, the Department for Education (who are responsible for policy relating to adoption) are currently being very light touch. Agencies are expected to deal with each child on a case by case basis and are responsible for adapting their own processes. Some agencies have suspended all adoption processes that haven’t already started. Others are proceeding with the adoption of newborn babies and children where introductions have already been made. Some are proceeding with all adoptions as normal, just moving all processes up until introductions online. At the moment, the best advice we can give is to ask your own adoption agency what changes they are making, and what the implications are for you specifically.
What advice can we give to families whose children are not respecting the lockdown rules? Expand Anecdotally there is an increase in families calling social services because they are overwhelmed by trying to keep their children safe and in turn keeping others safe. Teenage children and young people are becoming active ‘risk vectors’ between home and those they meet up with outside home. There is also some evidence of an increase in Child-to-Parent violence (CPV), and of families turning to more draconian parenting methods, thereby turning up the heat at home. Police have started to fine young people found breaking lockdown rules. It’s important to remind yourself that you can’t force young people to comply with the rules you would like them to follow. You can only do your best. You can increase the chances of them complying by the way you communicate with them, by modelling the behaviour you would like to see in them, and by providing non-verbal reminders. For example, try leaving hand sanitiser by the front door and in your young person’s room so that they can use it when they return home. Piling on the nurture can also help, to address the need behind their rejecting behaviour and give a sense of value & belonging. Deliberately give comfort food, run them a bath, take every opportunity to praise them. Make sure that you give yourself the same nurture in return. If you are at risk of, or already experiencing violence and aggression from your child, and are concerned that attempts to make them stay at home will escalate the situation, prioritise keeping yourself and the rest of your household as safe as possible. If your young person leaves the house, they may be approached by members of the Police force, which might help them to understand the importance of staying at home. As far as possible, try to ensure that home feels a calm and safe place to be, and encourage your young person to engage with their friends using technology as safely as possible.
What is happening with contact between adopted children and birth relatives? Expand There is currently no central guidance about this. In general, adoption agencies are advising against any direct contact. Postal contact is ongoing, though it is not likely to happen in the previous timescales due to difficulties with handling post, buildings being shut and other lockdown restrictions. One Regional Adoption Agency, ACE, is using this guidance: We would encourage adopters to get in touch with their RAA to let birth parents know that the children are well, they are being looked after and that the advice regarding social distancing is being followed. Birth parents are encouraged to do the same.
What support is there for new adoptive families? Expand As with adoption assessment, each agency is making their own arrangements. Most will now do all their post-adoption support online and by phone. Some adopters who have recently had a child placed with them are having their statutory visits carried out via online platforms such as zoom. Talk to your own adoption agency how they can support you in the months to come.