Preparing to adopt - England

Preparing to adopt is a well-established and highly respected training resource which enables agencies to offer relevant, high quality and comprehensive preparation for people who wish to adopt.

Preparing to adopt provides agencies with an agreed common curriculum for preparation courses. The format allows applicants and agency staff to make practical use of the learning during the whole assessment process.

Full of useful information, imaginative exercises, insightful articles and first-hand personal accounts from adopters as well as adopted children and young people, the pack is an accessible, appropriate and easy to use resource that provides an inclusive and comprehensive approach to the preparation process. The Trainer’s guide includes a DVD containing film clips and a CD-ROM containing a PowerPoint presentation and hand-outs.

The programme will enable prospective adopters to:

• Have sufficient information to consider what adoption entails for them and for a child
• Gain an understanding of the needs of children awaiting adoption
• Learn how they could meet a child’s needs
• Decide whether adoption is right for them.

Please note that a different version of this trainer’s guide exists for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Who is this training pack for?

Social workers and trainers planning and delivering adoption preparation courses in England.

What you will find in the training pack

Nine modules are offered including:

• What is adoption?
• The children needing adoption
• The adoption process
• Children’s development and attachment
• The needs of children affected by neglect and abuse
• Becoming a parent through adoption
• Linking, matching and introductions
• Telling, contact and social networking
• Life as an adoptive family – learning to live together

The trainer’s guide includes a DVD containing film clips and a CD-ROM containing a PowerPoint presentation and hand-outs.

A workbook for applicants is available separately.

Authors

Preparing to adopt was initially devised, and later revised, by a small working party of colleagues. These included Elaine Dibben (Adoption Development Consultant) and Nicky Probert (Trainer Consultant), both working at BAAF. The training pack was written up by Eileen Fursland, a professional freelance writer. She has written a number of training materials and books for BAAF and CoramBAAF, including a series of training programmes for foster carers, and books on social media and its impact on adoption and fostering.