*No names for confidentiality*

The following is an account of an adoption journey told by the parents themselves, who we would like to thank for allowing us to share their story.

We adopted our son through Family Care Adoption Services.

We found Family Care to be very approachable in our first contact with them. They were so informative and supportive throughout the whole process.

The assessment process happened quite quickly and although it’s extremely thorough which it needs to be, we really enjoyed it and found it quite therapeutic in prepping for our new addition! This consisted of home visits, pet assessments, along with homework and courses to attend / books to read. Once approved we attended several ARIS Exchange Days (*see details below*) which were online due to COVID. ARIS Exchange Days are where you look at different profiles of children who are waiting on their forever homes, these days were emotionally tough and a real eye opener!

We first seen our son at an ARIS Exchange Day we attended in 2022, there was just something about him and we expressed an interest in him via the relevant social workers, every step after this was taken carefully and one day at a time, you are given more information at each step before being officially matched with your child. The next step was to meet the current foster carers to find out more about our future son. Then dates for meeting our son and placement are decided by all involved – this included us, our child’s social worker and our social worker from Family Care.

In order to find out more information about our son we met up with anyone who had been involved with him – his doctor, health visitor, nursery teachers etc it’s all very informal, everyone is just so happy that a match has been made!

The next afternoon we headed to the foster carers home to meet our son for the first time and we’ll never forget it, seeing his wee face and how he greeted us! The next few days you spend more and more time together, doing different things with him, putting him to bed, taking him out, playing etc. He visited our home with his foster carers and then after about 10 days of spending time with him we picked him up from his foster home and brought him home! The first few days are a complete blur in the most amazing way, he just quickly became a massive part of our family, trusting us and also teaching us a lot! It was like he had always been there!

The first few weeks do also come with challenges, everyone getting to know each other, and the new normal. Adoption does come with some challenges for sure but they are far overshadowed by the benefits. Our son has completely changed our lives for the better and we are overjoyed that we get to do the same for him. Watching him thrive in everything that he does makes us so proud that we get to be a part of his journey.

We have also enjoyed meeting other families and children involved in the adoption process through various social events arranged by Family Care. This has proved to be a great support.

If you have ever considered adoption we would highly recommend contacting Family Care Adoption Services to find out more about the process.

*‘ARIS’ refers to the Adoption Regional Information System, a regional adoptive family finding database that stores details of all children awaiting adoption and all approved adopters across Northern Ireland.

The purpose of ARIS is to collate data to inform adoption agencies and prospective adopters about the circumstances of children waiting for adoptive families.

Its primary function is to improve the chances of children finding adoptive families by suggesting links in cases where Health and Social Care Trusts have not been able to place children with a suitable family from their own pool of approved adopters.

Exchange Days are special events held every 6 months by ARIS where prospective adopters can find out about children who are waiting for a family. Adopters will see a presentation on each child or sibling group. Social workers provide information about the children’s personalities, interests, daily routines, early experiences and placement needs.

Photos and film footage of the children are shared. After the presentations prospective adopters have a chance to talk to the children’s social workers and with their foster carers. Exchange Days allow adopters to be actively involved in the matching process and adopters can express an interest in a child who they believe might be suitable for them. *

Adoption News: 5 Successful Adoptions in 2024!

2024 has been another busy year for our Placement Team here at Family Care Adoption Services.

The Placement Team is delighted to share an update on their work throughout this year so far. Since January 2024 our hardworking and dedicated team have successfully completed the adoptions of 5 children with their adoptive families.

These children, ranging in age from 18 months old to 5 years old, can now enjoy the security and stability that adoption provides children with their forever families.

Two of the children were adopted by one family, this is wonderful as it means these siblings can grow up together in the same home and share memorable family experiences.

Adoption Placements Summer 2024

In the summer 4 children were placed for adoption with their new adoptive families. We look forward to completing these adoptions in 2025.

More Adoptive Parents Needed!

Our Placement Team seeks to match each child with a family who are committed to providing a stable and permanent home. There are currently many children in the care system across Northern Ireland who need adoptive parents.

At Family Care Adoption Services, we believe every child deserves a Safe & Loving Family Home.

If you feel you could provide a child or siblings with a stable and permanent home through adoption, we would love to hear from you.

Starting back to school can be an exciting yet nerve-wrecking time for any child, but for adopted children, the experience might come with unique challenges and emotions. As a parent, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s transition back to school.

Bedtime Routine

It is important that your children have a bedtime routine that enables them to have the sleep and rest they need to be able to focus throughout the duration of the school day. Setting your child’s sleep schedule back to what it was before the summer months gives them the best chance at this.

Encourage Reading Instead of Screentime

By reading to young children or encouraging them to read you are promoting a more relaxed environment before bed. This allows children to fall asleep quicker instead of engaging with a screen.

Open Communication

Going back to school can be a hard time for children. Especially younger children who have spent every day of the summer with their families. By being open with your children and encouraging them to talk about their feelings and answering these questions can help them become more relaxed about starting back.

Work on an after School Schedule

Take a few weeks to get to grips with the after-school routine then begin to create a schedule. Incorporate homework, dinner, bedtime etc. However, remember to also include downtime, although the school term has started it is still important to spend quality time with your children.

Practice Patience

Understand that adjusting to school can be a gradual process, especially for adopted children. Be patient and offer reassurance as they navigate new experiences. Celebrate small victories and provide emotional support during any challenging times.

Plan Healthy Meals and Snacks

Proper nutrition is vital for optimal school performance. Pack balanced meals and snacks that include proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods provide sustained energy levels and support cognitive function.

Address Potential Challenges

Talk to your child about potential challenges like bullying. Equip them with strategies to handle bullying and teasing, encouraging them to assertively but calming express their feelings, set boundaries, and seek help from teachers or adults when necessary.

Back to school time is chance for your child to embrace new experiences, learn and grow. By implementing these tips, you will create a supportive environment that helps your child thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Remember, your role as a parent is pivotal in guiding your child through this exciting journey.

On Sunday 28^th of July the Family Care team and our adoptive families had another fantastic day out, this time at Streamvale Farm. With the weather at the last event being a topic of discussion during the week Maggie and the team remained hopeful that the sun would be on our side for the day. The early morning showed patches of cloud and a mix of blue sky, but no real sign of the sunshine.

With the time counting down until our families arrived, as if by magic the sun began to shine and thankfully remained in place for the duration of the day. Our families were greeted by Family Care staff and members of the Streamvale Farm staff.

First on the agenda for the day was feeding the chickens and meeting Roberta, Harriett & Peppa at the ‘Piggy Palace.’ After a very important handwashing session, the children were then taken to the ‘Farmyard Playground’ whilst they waited on the Tractor Ride to go and feed the Deer.

The short, but bumpy ride to the top of the hill was filled with excitement and anticipation and for good reason, our families were greeted by plenty of hungry deer that needed fed. Cabbage was the main course on the day.

After returning from the Tractor Ride, next up was the ‘Cuddle Time.’ Here the children got to meet and pet some rabbits and chicks and even cuddle some puppies. As the sun continued to shine it was time for lunch. The menu consisted of sausages & chips, hot dogs and chicken nuggets & chips. Whilst the children ran and climbed at the ‘Trailblazer Playground’ Maggie put the finishing touches on the Lucky Ducky Dip and Party Bags.

A big Thank You to Streamvale Farm for hosting us. We hope everyone had a lovely day and we will see you all again soon at our next event.

Embrace Your New Family

Sometimes, the idea of an instant family can be overwhelming. Don’t forget that this is a completely new experience for both parents and children and even though you may have adopted a child, you are still essentially building a new family. It is essential to take the proper time to get to know each other and develop strong bonds with one another, letting your child know you will love and support them for the rest of their lives.

Be Patient and Understanding

Adopting a child can be a challenging transition for everyone involved. It is important to consider that your child may need extra time to adjust to their new home and family life. You can make this transition easier for them by not rushing too quick or expecting too much from them too soon, especially when it comes to bonding with you as parents.

Build Your Support Network

As New Adoptive Parents, you may need extra support as you navigate this new stage in life. At Family Care Adoption Services, we offer Post Adoption support services to assist you as much as possible. You can also look to other adoptive parents for help and advice as and when needed.

Create New Memories That Last a Lifetime

Additionally, make sure to take time to have fun with your child and build memories that will last a lifetime! Adoption is an amazing experience filled with joy, love, ups and downs make sure to enjoy all the special moments and create positive experiences for your new family.

Remember to Look After Your Own Health and Wellbeing

Finally, it is vital you remember it’s important to look after yourself. Make sure to set aside time and energy to take care of your own physical, emotional, and mental needs. By doing this it will help you stay strong for your family and better handle any challenges that come up along the way.

Please contact us on 028 9069 1133 or by email: email@familycareadoption.org

Family Care Adoption Services were delighted to host another post adoption family day at Belfast Zoo. Despite the poor weather conditions at times, our families were able to enjoy some quality time together and make the most the day.

The main objective of our post adoption gatherings is to provide adoptive families with the opportunity to meet each other in a fun, informal setting; for the adults to meet others who have also become parents by adoption and for the children to make friends with children like themselves.

Upon arrival, the families were warmly welcomed by our CEO Maggie McSorley along with experienced Family Care Staff Anne & Mary. The families were then invited to explore the Zoo at their own pace dodging rain showers and battling against the steep hill climb on their way to the top.

From Lions to Giraffes and Penguins to Scottish Wildcats each family was able to see the huge variety of animals who are at home in the Zoo, building up quite an appetite just in time for lunch.

The menu at the Zoo café consisted of a wide range of food from sausages and chips, chicken goujons, burgers and veggie burgers, all prepared especially for Family Care by the lovely Café staff, who opened up especially for us and our families.

After lunch it was time for some Zoo themed mask making and face painting, and Family Care would like to say a big thank you to Face Mates for coming along and being part of our event. All of the families were delighted with the activities and the children looked wonderful with their beautifully painted animal faces.

The day wrapped up around 3pm but not before Maggie made sure each child had an Easter Egg (which Maggie made sure to announce had to be opened at Easter and not on the way home in the car!)

Events like these emphasize the importance of building a supportive community with and for our adoptive families and the benefits to adopted children of meeting other children who are adopted too!

Family Care would like to thank all of our families who came along to enjoy a day at the Zoo, and we look forward to seeing everyone again for another event very soon.