Alice Knott Assistant Project Coordinator and Helpline Advisor Expand Alice is a former teacher with several years of experience working with children who have complex additional support needs and their families. She has a passion for inclusive education, especially outdoor learning and learning through play. Alice currently works on the AUK helpline and is assistant project coordinator in Scotland, helping to ensure the smoothest and best service delivery for all the people and families who engage with Adoption UK. [email protected]
Alison Parkinson Training Services Lead Expand Alison joined AUK Scotland in 2016 when her adopted son and daughter left home to go to College. She started as Helpline Adviser and used her children’s varied(!) experiences of education and her own background in Further Education to design and deliver training around supporting adopted children in education. Her current role focusses on developing and delivering AUK Scotland’s training programme and supporting TESSA. Alison’s favourite pastime involves uninterrupted reading, red wine and chocolate. [email protected]
Amy Lane Foundations for Families Community Network Coordinator Expand Amy has a background in education as an ASN teacher supporting young people and their families in a number of settings. She is passionate about keeping Scotland's Promise to support care experienced young people to grow up loved, safe and respected. As the community network coordinator for the Foundations for Families project, Amy will be supporting kinship families in their local areas. Amy enjoys all things musicals, walks in the lake district and time with family, friends and her cats. [email protected]
Ashley Ryan Foundations for Families Peer Support Coordinator Expand Ashley started at Adoption UK in August 2023 after working in the sport sector focusing on volunteer management and development at both major and local events. She is excited about putting her knowledge and experience to good use in the FFF project. If not spending time with her family, Ashley can usually be found volunteering somewhere, watching movies or enjoying the Scottish countryside. [email protected]
Barbara Ogston FASD Services Manager Expand Barbara is an adoptive parent to two young people in their teenage years, one of whom has an FASD diagnosis. She has been part of the FASD community for many years and is excited to be working in the FASD Hub. Barbara’s background is in working with children in education and the third sector, with a particular focus on supporting children affected by parental drug and alcohol use. Barbara graduated from the Open University in 2017 with a B.A. Hons in Childhood and Youth Studies, and in 2020 with a M.A. in Childhood and Youth. Barbara enjoys crafts of all kinds, in particular sewing, jewellery making and card making. [email protected]
Carol Hunter Community Engagement Lead Expand Carol joined Adoption UK as Community Engagement Lead for our #EProject, engaging with children and young people as part of our commitment to The Promise. She has previously volunteered with the FASD Hub as an adult with FASD and as an adoptee and also works within the college sector as a full time guidance adviser. She has recently completed her MA Crime and Justice, alongside volunteering with Children’s Hearings Scotland as a panel member within Fife and is a Mum to three young boys. [email protected]
Denise Horn Business Support and Development Manager Expand Denise started with Adoption UK Scotland in July 2019. She lives in Edinburgh with her partner and 2 adopted children. Denise has a background in developing partnerships, project management and marketing working within the public sector and charity sector. You are most likely to find her dog walking, fusing bits of glass or sea swimming when she gets a moment to herself. [email protected]
Dr Chris Jones Expand Professional backgroundI am currently employed as a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde undertaking research, teaching and knowledge exchange activities. My research focuses on child abuse and neglect, adoptive families and disabled children. I am also Course Leader for the BA Education and Social Services, an innovative degree programme that responds to the Scottish Government’s agenda around integrated services. I originally trained as an occupational therapist and worked with adults and children with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Personal/professional interest in adoptionMy interest in adoption comes from both my personal experience as an adoptive parent and my professional experience as an adoption researcher. I am currently undertaking a study of sibling relationships of children in long-term foster care and adoption and have recently completed research on the views and experiences of abused Deaf and disabled young people who come into contact with the child protection system. I am also part of a collaboration between the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde, the Fostering Network and Quarriers exploring barriers and enablers of permanency for disabled children. I am a member of the Coram BAAF Research Group Advisory Committee. HobbiesI am a novice runner and a keen but incompetent knitter.
Education Expand EnquireIndependent advice and information service for additional support for learning (special educational needs). SchoolhouseInformation and support for parents, carers and young people on home education in Scotland. Virtual School Head Teachers NetworkVirtual Head Teachers work across their local authority area to improve educational outcomes for care experienced young people.
Education Expand Adopted children and education The adopted child in Scottish schools Choosing a school for your adopted child Virtual school head teachers - how they can help your child access the right support Education funding support for adopted children in schoolWe’d like to hear from you if you are successful in accessing this funding and what kind of support you receive. Please contact us at [email protected] Education helpsheet: Preparing for a school meeting Education helpsheet: supports and strategies Education helpsheet: support and strategies example Education helpsheet: ABC chart Education helpsheet: strategies for supporting anxiety and non-attendance Education helpsheet: Sensory systems and managing the school environment Top tips for the transition into Primary 1 - a quick guide before your child starts P1 Top tips to help your child manage Primary 1 - a quick guide for helping your child manage after they've started P1 Moving on from secondary school Teacher toolkit: top tips for teachers of adopted children Checklist for educators of adopted children List of additional education resources (books, websites and other non-Adoption UK resources)
Family Expand Tracing and Contact Talking to our Children about Adoption Life Story Work Adopting Siblings Adopting a Second Unrelated Child Tips and Ideas Talking about Adoption AFKA Brothers & Sisters Insights Full Briefing | AFKA Brothers & Sisters Insights Summary Briefing