More support for adoptive families in Wales

A report into the status of adoption support in Wales has revealed that there will be more help available to adoptive parents.

According to the report 47% of the children in the Wales Adoption Study had experienced four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences, these might include abuse or neglect, before they are placed for adoption. These experiences can have implications in later life.

The National Adoption Service says that adoptive families could benefit from help and advice at different stages in their life, especially if the children have additional needs.

The National Adoption Service works with charities across the UK including St David’s Children’s Society, AFA Cymru, Adoption UK, After Adoption and Barnardo’s Cymru.

The report found that children are facing fewer delays and that services need to work towards making information about adoption easy to access.

The report also found in the year up to March 2017, the average wait for adoption was maintained at 15.6 months. With more placement order granted this year.

At the end of the year there were 86 children on the Wales Adoption Register searching for a placement, 74% of these were older than 2 years old and 62% needed to be adopted with siblings.

The Adoption Support Framework has been agreed by and independent advisory group and Governance Board and support is continuing to be developed.