National Adoption Week is generally thought of as a time to share glossy pictures of happy smiling children in an attempt to encourage more people to come forward as adopters. This is certainly needed as there are many children waiting for a secure loving family to call their own.
Thank you to all those parents, teachers, companies and charities that have given support in creating the Attachment Friendly Award and website; especially Open Nest, Inspired Foundations and the Adoption Social who are all linked from the home page and are well worth visiting.
After nearly three weeks and some fantastic feedback it really feels that this site is going to be of use, but it can only be that if we use it, recommend it and share it. The resources page is looking useful from my point of view but at the moment doesn't reflect the resources we have all used and found useful - more links, resources and research would be great. In addition guest bloggers would be most welcome.
Please find below a post created by Hugh Thornbery the chief executive of Adoption UK the leading charity providing a voice and support for those parenting adopted children http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/hugh-thornbery/adopted-children-education_b_7753686.html Five years ago his son was pinned down to the ground by three teachers - that's what one of our members told us happened to his adopted son at primary school. Relations with the school broke down further to the point where they asked for his son to stay off school during an Ofsted inspection. Things have moved on and this child is at a secondary school where his teachers have a better understanding of his complex needs and early trauma. This is an extreme example but shows what can happen with a lack of understanding of the needs of an adopted child who has already experienced trauma and neglect in their early years.
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