Children and potential families meet at Adoption Activity Day
Children and prospective adoptive families had the chance to meet and get to know each other at a fun packed activity day in Devon this weekend.
Everyone attending the Disney-themed event had chance to dress up and take part in activities designed to bring adopters and children together in play.
Children enjoyed the face painting, ball pool and soft play, crazy golf, colouring in a big frieze, making masks in the crafts area, and dens out of cardboard boxes, even building a magical castle! A storyteller and afternoon tea brought the day to a close and everyone went home with a beautiful party bag.
Devon County, Torbay and Plymouth City Councils are jointly hosting the activity days with the support of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF). Saturday’s event was the second activity day in Devon (the first one hosted by Devon County Council), with an event previously held in Plymouth in November.
The child-centred events, still relatively new to the UK, have been popular for 30 years in United States where they have a record of leading to high numbers of adoptions.
American studies show activity days to be twice as effective as any other method of family finding for children.
50 children from Devon, Torbay and Plymouth Council areas, all awaiting adoption, including some who are harder to place due to their older age (over 3 years), their sex (older boys), and sibling groups, attended the event.
Local authorities ensure that children and adopters attending activity days are fully supported, prior, during and after the events.
BAAF launched a national programme of activity days following a successful pilot in March 2013, culminating in adoptive families being found for 42 children.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for young people, Cllr James McInnes said: "For adopters, the benefits are clear, the opportunity to meet real children, dispelling the myths about children in care, having the opportunity to think more widely about what they can offer a child as potential parents and gaining more confidence."
"For foster carers, it's a chance to be more involved in the family finding process and for social workers, this is about having the opportunity to spend quality time with their child, improving practice in preparation of children for adoption and writing profiles."
"It's a wonderful experience for the children in helping to find a family for them to grow up in, having the opportunity to meet other children like them and meet families who are thinking of adopting, and knowing that everything possible is being done to find an adoptive placement."
"I'd urge anyone who is considering adopting to find out more by calling 0345 155 1076 or visit www.devonadoption.org.uk."
Louise Hocking, Director of Child Placement, BAAF, said: “'After a very successful event in November, BAAF was delighted to continue this innovative practice by again working in partnership to organise a second adoption activity day in the South West.
"Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are ensuring that local children awaiting adoption have the best possible chance of being matched for adoption through a well planned, supportive and fun event."
For more information about adopting in Devon please visit www.devonadoption.org.uk
BAAF have been supporting, advising and campaigning for better outcomes for children in care for over 30 years. They work with everyone involved with adoption and fostering across the UK. Their regional and country offices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, provide services to meet the needs of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.
BAAF is registered as a Voluntary Adoption Agency and Adoption Support Agency with Ofsted.
