Tower Hamlets Council is encouraging people to consider adoption ahead of National Adoption Week (19-25th October) – particularly children over the age of four, the average age of children waiting to be placed in adoptive families. The Council is encouraging people to consider adopting children over the age of four as most adoptive families coming forward are interested in babies. The council is also looking for adoptive parents for siblings, children with disabilities, and children from black and ethnic minority (BME) backgrounds.
Gerrybylle and Iris are currently in the process of legally adopting Ryan, aged nine. They first came to the council in the hope of adopting an older child by attending an information evening. Speaking about the event, Iris said: “After attending that information day, we were reassured that, yes, this was what we really wanted. We got more information on what it all entails, the difficulties perhaps that we’d face as well.”
Following a visit by a social worker at their home, they were invited to a preparation group. Iris explained: “Our door was opened to a vast network of opportunities to meet with other people who wanted to adopt, and learn how to best bond with children who have had difficult experiences in the past. “We were then allocated a social worker to work more closely with us about our own life stories – what we bring to the table. We were approved in December last year, and now we are in the process of legally adopting Ryan.”
Iris and Gerrybylle were very clear about the positives of adopting an older child. Gerry said: “The activities that you can do are more fun. Avoiding potty training is obviously nice!” Iris added: “It’s easier to engage as well. The child may be able to verbalise certain things, although probably not everything that is going on there. And you can be perhaps a little more adventurous as well, show them more of the world.
“The connection is a different one because you don’t have to second guess – what is it now? Are you hungry? Are you tired? They give you more clues as to what it is that they need.
“You can show them more. They learn quicker aged eight upwards, and they are eager in that sense. You can do lots of play with them. They understand limitations – they tell you and take the lead more. It’s as though, in a sense, they finally know with you they have a permanent stop. This will now be forever, until perhaps they are an adult themselves.”
On Saturday, 24th October, at 10.15am, there will be an East London Consortium event at the Holiday Inn in Westfield Stratford (10a Chestnut Plaza, Westfield, E20 1GL). This group of six local authorities in east London and voluntary agencies will be providing information and support to people who are considering adoption.
To find out more or reserve a space please call 0800-279 9850.
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