thereisalight

adopter, teacher, optimist, realist

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@SB_FASD @LGOmbudsman @DHSCgovuk Great to have FASD acknowledged but frustrating that the family needed to follow the long road to @LGOmbudsman to receive support.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@rajamukherjee10 Thank you for highlighting this issue. Once you add the blame from professionals (with no understanding of FASD) when your child's behaviours spiral, then you're looking at a whole other level of stress.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@SueAB68 Sadly the figures are no surprise to parents. "Tracking" young people does nothing if findings are not followed up with specific, targeted support. FASD and attachment difficulties are misunderstood or ignored.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@YouthWorkerBish There's an expectation they'll be difficult but recent experience has shown me it's just too easy to exclude LAC kids partly because those "caring" for them aren't always fighting for them.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@Ofstednews How can I contribute to the inspection of a LA children's services? I understand an inspection is underway and, as a parent, I have feedback I would like to share. It is unlikely I will be invited to contribute by the LA!

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@CalvinKipling A bit like my daughter who was "suspended" due to absences and being too far behind with her work.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@CalvinKipling Surely SWs are aware of the role of the VSH. If not, why not? The school will act in its own interests, in my experience no one goes in to bat for the child and fight for their best interest.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@CalvinKipling Frustrating, but at least you're involved. Some schools (correctly) assume that the child's social worker will be ill informed and will not be motivated to fight for them. My daughter's SW didn't even get the Virtual school involved- permanently excluded - EHCP not referred to.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@Tobetherefor @SGandAT @imatthewgibson Shamed then blamed as trauma resurfaces.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@Bill_Esterson @SB_FASD Absolutely. Especially true of young people who are not neuro typical (e.g FASD) and do not operate at their chronological age. These vulnerable young people suddenly have all support removed yet their needs remain.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@helenlucycosta @CharlotteBTobin I applaud any initiative that looks at the reality of adoption and the trauma children have experienced. If only social workers considered past trauma when judging adoptive parents who are struggling with its impact later in a child's life.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@Tobetherefor @iRussMartin @10DowningStreet @GavinWilliamson Not just in Wales - nationwide.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

Thank you for highlighting this issue. There is a serious lack of understanding of mental health problems and neurodevelopmental issues amongst children's services. Easier to take children into care than provide appropriate support. Impact on children and families is devastating.

[katharinesj.bsky.social @KatharineSJ]

Children should not be going into care because they are unable to get mental health support. We desperately need investment in mental health services which give children the help they need when they need it. https://t.co/aOujaU01Jh

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@AUK_Schools @SueAB68 @michelledonelan @AdoptionUK I am aware the survey is open to non AUK members, but adopters whose children have re entered care are unlikely to engage with AUK. The true figure must come from LAs (not voluntary respondents). Sadly, data is not collected in a robust manner, so understating continues.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@SueAB68 @michelledonelan @AdoptionUK I am well aware of the enormous challenges adopters face. Lack of resilience and loyalty from parents is not the reason children re enter care. We do not give up on our children, and face the greatest challenges when we parent from a distance.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@AUK_Schools @SueAB68 @michelledonelan @AdoptionUK 3% of people completing a survey carried out by an organisation that most adopters who have experienced their child re entering care (after 5, 10 or 15 years) are no longer involved in, as they feel @AdoptionUK does not speak for them. So 3% of a very narrow demographic.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@SueAB68 @michelledonelan @AdoptionUK I'm interested in the research you refer to. How recent is it and how are the respondents selected? It is not @AdoptionUK's role to collect this data, but in the absence of robust government data, it is being quoted and used to minimise the problem.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@FionaTempleton1 @michelledonelan Who commissioned the research and where did she find participants? Very interested.

[thereisalight @thereisalight3]

@SueAB68 @michelledonelan I have, but most in my position have lost faith in @AdoptionUK. The 3% disruption figure quoted in last year's report doesn't reflect truth,but used by @michelledonelan to minimise the problem.Pressure needs to be placed on LAs to provide accurate data.3%- the tip of the iceberg.