The Children who wait

Andrew Age 5

Andrew is a very sociable little boy who enjoys being cuddled and thrives on one to one attention, stimulation and routine. He has considerable developmental delay, particularly regarding the development of language, though he is making progress with speech therapy input. Andrew’s birth mother and birth father are both of white British heritage.

Andrew has lived with his foster carers for 18 months and has attached to them well, though he sometimes struggles with the competition from other children in the family. Andrew is a very active child and his teacher has described him as a “wonderful little boy who has settled well and made progress”. He enjoys puzzles and construction toys and really enjoys the school routine. He has additional help in the class room for several hours each week.

Andrew requires help and attention to assist him in catching up in areas of his development. Andrew would benefit from being the only or youngest child in the family by several years.

Andrew has a half sister who has been placed separately for adoption and a brother who is cared for by a maternal aunt and uncle. It is planned that there will be some direct contact between the siblings and an indirect letterbox contact is planned with Andrew’s birth mother.

Jade, 5 and Joseph, aged 3

Jade and Joseph are two beautiful children of black African Caribbean descent who need an adoptive family because they are unable to remain within their birth family. They have developed good attachments with their foster family who enjoy the children and are helping them prepare for their final move to adoptive parents. The children have good routines, are healthy and sleep well.

Jade and Joseph are lively, curious and interested children. They love attention and giggle a lot. Jade plays with dolls, enjoys cartoons, drawing and conversation. Joseph loves football, building bricks, playing in the park and imitating his sister.

Jade has made good progress in school, has made lots of friends and needs to improve her writing. Joseph is doing well in nursery, which he started a few weeks ago and is building good relationships with other children.

Jade and Joseph will maintain some direct contact with their younger sibling, Corlene, who has been adopted separately.

Jack ,7 and Chloe, aged 5

Jack is an engaging, affectionate, responsive boy who likes physical play, especially football. He can happily amuse himself, but also enjoys playing with Chloe. He enjoys helping his foster father with DIY jobs. Chloe is an outgoing little girl who is very intelligent and benefits from attending playgroup three times a week. She seeks out and accepts affection from her foster carers and gets on well with other children. Chloe is cautious with strangers and observant of what is happening around her. She can at times be stubborn, but will respond to boundaries and is a very loving child who enjoys her cuddles.

The children were removed from their birth parents due to domestic violence and initially Jack was very withdrawn and said very little. He has established a close relationship with his foster carers and responds well to clear boundaries. His communication has improved a lot and he has started to develop a sense of humour. Jack is in mainstream school, although missed a lot of early learning and is behind with his academic work. He has some additional help within the classroom situation.

It is planned that letterbox contact is maintained with both birth parents, who now live separately, and with their brother Lawrence, aged 5, who lives with maternal aunt and uncle.