Older children

[LoveAngel]

We have a 2 yr old son and are thinking about ttc for baby no.2, however, we are also interested in adopting in the future. We have thought about adopting an older toddler or child from the UK, or possibly siblings. Has anyone done similar and have any advice as to where to start, what to consider? We are a very loving, happy family with plenty of space in our home, and we are also a mixed race family and very aware that mixed race children are massively over-represented in the care system. Anyone have any advice or thoughts at all on this?

xxxx

My dp was adopted with his biological sister, they went to home who already had an adopted son he found this hard to cope with and so did his sister who went back into foster care! if you phone a couple of adoption agencies they should be able advise you better (my dp and sil were older 10+9 so bit harder to settle) you could always try fostering to see how your ds would cope! good luck with adoption and ttc x

I am mum to 2 adopted siblings and can hopefully offer some advice to you.

Most local authorities have an Adoption team and offer this service. Once OH and I had expressed our interest we went along to a 3 day course where adoption and all the pros and cons were discussed. We then were allocated a SW and had a big form to complete which took approx. 4 months and then had to go in front of the Adoption panel to be approved. Once approved you play the waiting game until a match is made. Once the match is made it then has to be approved by the Adoption panel of the local authority the child / children is / are from. Once approved the introductions can begin.

I think it would be highly unlikely that they would encourage you to adopt children older than your birth child although it may depend on local policies. I know our local authority do not encourage this.

It is important to remember that children who are placed for adoption have had the most awful start to life and bring lots of baggage with them. We have learnt to expect the unexpected at every turn! Our children have also brought us unimaginable joy and we are so very proud of them and how they are coping with everything 2.5 years down the line.

I really hope this helps you to make a balanced decision and good luck with whatever you decide.

BB x