Blogs Adoption

What is your role within the team?

Hi, I’m Clare, the assistant team manager who manages the recruitment and assessment part of the adoption service.  I have been with the adoption service since 2011.

What do you enjoy the most about your role?

Definitely has all to do with development.  Firstly our prospective adopter’s growing insight and understanding of the needs of our children and then seeing this in action with their adopted child as they become parents.  Also for the children, all their progress, whether the small steps or bigger leaps they make when with their adoptive family. For our staff to see their practice development and careers grow, our staff in the adoption service are the most important asset we have so we must continue to invest in them.  And then for the service developments, we have done over the years to ensure adopters and children have the best possible journey and time with us in recruitment and also when they need to access some support with colleagues in the post-order support team too.

What would you say is the most challenging aspect of your role?

It is always hard to not be able to recommend prospective adopters move to stage 2 when we feel they are not ready.  We do so with our children’s needs in mind.  We ensure all prospective adopters go away with a clear plan to address the vulnerabilities so they can come back in the future and many do then in a much better position for our children.

What have you learnt about supporting families through Adoption?

Adoption provides our children who can’t stay within their birth family or friends, with stability, love, nurture and understanding of their trauma and needs as they grow but parenting is the hardest role on the planet and we all need some help sometimes.  So when families need that help whether just as a child moves in or later on it’s really important that we build on the relationship they have hopefully developed with our service or at times a specific worker, by us listening and working together to find a way forward. It is a strength to come forward for support but we (social workers) know it can be a worrying thing to do as well so it is important families feel the warmth and no judgement so they feel able to talk to us and to come back again in the future too.

Any favourite hobbies you wish to share?

I’ve been a football fan since I was 5 or 6 years old and am to be found at the home of football – Wycombe Wanderers, during the season  - where the mantra never too high never too low is attempted to be maintained!  I also love a good book and a box set TV binge!

What’s your best self-care tip?

Find something you enjoy doing whether that is on your own or with others and make regular time to do it.  We all need this whatever it may be whether a hobby or a trip to a happy place or caring for a pet. You all now know one of my happy places!

Want to know more about adopting with the Buckinghamshire Adoption Service? You can all us on 01494 586 349, email us at [email protected], or fill in our online enquiry form.