Children Who Wait Online — The First Children, Six Months On

Family-finding for looked-after children changed last year when Adoption UK, the adoptive parenting charity, launched Children Who Wait Online — an online service featuring profiles of children in the care system who were looking for adoptive families.

According to agencies involved in piloting the innovative service, more than two-thirds (71 per cent) who responded to a survey on their experiences said they had either found a permanent home for the children featured on the online service or were in the later stages of doing so.

Building on Adoption UK’s popular magazine Children Who Wait, social workers were given the option to feature children on a secure section of its website (www.adoptionuk.org).

Children Who Wait was the first major family-finding service to move to online publication. But six months into the programme, how did the agencies who participated in the pilot find the service? And most importantly of all, what became of the first children to be featured?

Lyndsey Hunt of Staffordshire County Council received interest from as far away as Renfrewshire in Scotland for the girl that she featured in the pilot. “Children Who Wait Online is definitely a positive step for family finding,” she said.

Even the agencies which Adoption UK was unable to help find a placement gave universally positive feedback. The child that Jan Henigan of Redbridge featured remains in the care system, but Jan was still kind enough to speak highly of our service. “I found the staff and the service I received when dealing with Adoption UK very helpful,” she said, “and I would certainly consider using it again in the future.”

“With thousands of children in the care system looking for adoptive homes, Children Who Wait Online is another step to the stability and permanence that these children need,” said Adoption UK Director Jonathan Pearce.

Children Who Wait Editor Elizabeth Perry added, “I believe that Children Who Wait Online is an innovative approach to family-finding. It’s an excellent way for agencies to reach as many prospective adopters as possible. And, not only does it provide far more space for the child’s details, it can also be updated immediately ensuring details are up to date and accurate.”

Adoption UK would like to thank everyone who responded to their request.

If you would like more information on Children Who Wait Online, please contact Pippa Heath on 01295 752961.

Adoption UK

Adoption UK is the only national charity run by and for adoptive parents. The charity’s aim is to provide and support a self-help network for adoptive parents to explore the unique social, emotional and developmental needs of adopted children and young people and their families. Through this network, Adoption UK also promotes effective learning practice based on over 30 years’ experience of adoptive parenting, which is integrated with current theories of trauma, attachment and development.

Adoption UK

Tel: 01295 752240

Fax: 01295 752241

E-mail: info@adoptionuk.org.uk

Website: www.adoptionuk.org.uk