Adoption Case Studies
It is estimated that there might be as many as 5,000 children in the UK waiting for permanent new families. Many of these children are of school age and over half of them are in groups of brothers and sisters who need to be placed together. There are disabled children of all ages, including babies, and children whose future development is unclear. Some children will have been abused and all will have experienced moves and uncertainty so their behaviour may be challenging.
The two fictional case studies below are examples of the types of children who may be waiting to be adopted in the Borders.
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Fiona (6 years, 2 months)
Fiona is six years old but is developmentally both physically and emotionally a much younger child. Her speech is delayed but she is very keen to learn; she can identify some animals and colours and is able to draw paint and loves school. Fiona likes dolls and toys that make sounds. She enjoys swimming and responds well to one to one attention and hugs and kisses.
Fiona can display some very challenging behaviour and can still have tantrums like a much younger child but in the 18 months that Fiona has been in fostercare, these have become much less frequent. She is now responding more positively to boundaries and household rules in the foster family. Fiona does not get on well with other children but loves the company of older children and is loving and affectionate with her foster family. She has contact with her birth family at present on a weekly basis.
Fiona is subject to an application to the court to free her for adoption and we are looking for a family who could care for Fiona on a Fostering basis with a view to adopting her if the court agrees the application.
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Scott (1 year, 10 months)
Scott is a sensitive little boy who is very responsive to the love and attention he receives from his carers. He enjoys cuddles from his foster family and is beginning to grow in confidence. He was accommodated almost a year ago and the move from his birth family led him to be wary around new people including, at first, his carers. However, he has made definite progress and his sense of humour is developing.
Scott enjoys playing with his foster family’s cat and plays affectionately with his cuddly toys. He mixes with other children but is uncertain when his carers are out of sight. He is a curious little boy but prefers to watch from a distance. His development is being monitored and his speech is still in the early stages but he is becoming more expressive in the words he uses and the sounds he makes.
There was concern that Scott’s mother was taking non-prescribed drugs during pregnancy and although he had no major health problems at birth, there is a risk this could affect his ongoing development. Scott keeps in good overall health, sleeps and eats well. He needs to wear glasses as he is short sighted.
Unified Solutions.