To announce arrival of child on special guardianship order into our family on social media ?

[fatbottomgirl12]

That's it really. We are due a final hearing shortly and are extremely excited to be welcoming a much wanted and loved child to our family. We have previously put the arrival of birth children on social media.

Is that allowed due to safeguarding?

Am shocked you would allow that re: safeguarding

Surely this is a question for social services and not random people on the internet?

For what it is worth, my friends who have adopted (two separate families) have absolutely never mentioned their children's names or initials let alone photos on social media so my guess would be it is a big no no.

This is a question that you need to ask your social worker, you cannot possibly rely on any responses you receive from strangers in the internet.

You are joking right?

Why do you need to announce this? Surely anyone that matters will be aware?

Social Services have no issues with it we have discussed it with them. We are a family and as such child will be very much part of our family.

If it’s safe to do so then yes.

No if not.

You need to use your judgement and consider the circumstances of your SGO alongside professional guidance from those working with you to make a decision.

Also, aside from the safeguarding issues, presuming the birth parents are known to you, this could surely be potentially very distressing for them?

Congrats OP

This may be an arrangement that has the support of the birth parents and/or contact.

I don't see how it's an automatic safeguarding. You aren't supposed to keep kids secret, they live in the world.

I think it's great you want to treat all the kids the same OP.

Social Services have no issues with it we have discussed it with them. We are a family and as such child will be very much part of our family

Go for it then.

No friends of mine have been allowed to do this at all. The children have been part of the family for three years now and do not appear on social media. Ever. We had a posted arrival card and a party. No social media ever. No names. No pictures.

How lovely op! Congratulations. Of course yanbu, following the same birth announcement format for the arrival of your latest child is just precious.

And of course you have cleared it with ss, I assume the question was would it be ‘strange’ to announce in this way. I think it’s wonderful.

I know two different families who have adopted and have photos of their DC on Facebook. Every circumstance is different so there may not be any safeguarding issue

Social services are dickheads and will just be pleased they've got another kid off their books.

Don't do it OP.

if this child is going to be shown on social media etc (i presume like your current children) then i dont see why not. treat him/her the same as your currents if its safe to do so.

As an adopter I’d say it depends on the age of the child and your privacy settings, as they may not want the world and his wife knowing when they get older.
There are other ways to celebrate without a formal announcement. We went for a family meal and had a party for friends, and got lots of lovely congratulations cards.

I think it's going to be a bit odd, and may be hurtful to the parents. Don't do anything that would cause distress to them. Remember that once this child is a teenager, s/he will almost certainly seek out her mum, in particular, so be respectful of that relationship, no matter how bad it is at the moment.

Bit of an odd thread but go for it if you want...

I personally, wouldn’t put anything on social media (in fact I haven’t shared a photo of either of my children for over 6 years). However, if you do, then make sure that your privacy settings are very private, so that only relatives and very close friends. If there is any chance of your child’s birth family reading the post then no, I would not share it!

I would send out an announcement card and perhaps an invite to a ‘welcome’ party for your child. Does your child live with you already? Or are they being slowly transitioned into your family? If it’s the latter, then a party might not be appropriate but an announcement card would be.

I suppose it depends on the age of the child. I can’t imagine a teenager would be very amused. They spend their whole time trying to fit in and be as ordinary as possible, and might see your actions as making them stand out like a sore thumb. I know I would hate it.

I think it's going to be a bit odd, and may be hurtful to the parents. Don't do anything that would cause distress to them.

The parents

The only consideration when making this decision should be for the CHILD.

@gekiort if you read the rest of the paragraph, I explained why this is best for the child. SGOs are not like adoptions. The child knows who his/her parents are, and where they are. Usually, when they are teenagers, they start to tentatively re-establish contact. If the parents are still fuming at what they perceive to be disrespect from the guardian, this will cause significant problems.