Ten top tips on making introductions

The Ten Top Tips series considers some of the fundamental themes in child care practice in concise, practical guides ideal for busy practitioners.

An adoptive placement, for both the adults and child involved, can trigger excitement and anticipation, but also, especially for children who have already experienced multiple moves, loss, fear and anxiety. How can social workers plan and manage introductions – the culmination of all the work that must take place between linking a child with a family and confirming a match – in order to lay solid foundations for a child becoming a permanent member of a family?

This book considers the roles of all involved, including the birth family and other children, as well as the purpose of introductions and will help workers to plan and manage good introductions.

Who is this book for?

This user-friendly guide contains expert advice for all workers involved with moving children on to other adoptive placements, or other forms of permanency. Both social workers new to this area of work, as well as established practitioners, will benefit from the practical advice on settling children into stable, enduring and permanent families.

What you will find in this book

Each of the ten chapters presents a basic “tip” in an accessible and straightforward style, including:

• Tailoring plans to the child’s individual needs
• Preparing the child for the move
• Preparing the family for the impact of introductions
• Introducing siblings
• Considering the birth family
• Agreeing an introduction plan whilst remaining flexible
• Ensuring introductions are made at the child’s pace
• Following up with post-placement support

Good practice points are included throughout, clearly setting out issues to be considered.

Author

Lindsey Dunbar became a social worker in 1984. Her professional roles have included residential work with children, child protection, inspection, fostering and adoption. She has a particular interest in how we successfully enable children to move into permanent placements.

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