PERDISWELL YPLC - 2 June 2004
MARILYN BUTLER, Senior Practitioner, Worcs. Adoption Support Team
WASGAP was pleased to welcome Marilyn to our monthly meeting to introduce herself to members.
She informed us that the team is expanding. At present Marilyn has two retired adoption social workers
helping the team but, from the end of June there will be a full time permanent social worker
in place, followed by a part-time social worker at the end of July.
Marilyn outlined the role of the Adoption Support Team in Worcestershire which at present includes dealing with:
- Section 51 cases - adults requiring access to birth records. They have a lot of work
in this area.
- Birth parents enquiring about contact.
- Adoptive families with difficulties. They will eventually be expected to support all adoptive parents
in Worcestershire.
- Signposting - helping people to access the services already available.
- The Continuous Learning Programme - courses and training events available to prospective and current
adopters to prepare and support them as adoptive parents.
- Letterbox contact. Mary Tyson has been efficiently running Letterbox for several years now and has become part
of the Adoption Support Team.
The Team are also aiming to:
- Start a Girl's Group. Marilyn observed that 14 - 16 is a critical age for many female adoptees and that
the team is supporting at least 12 at the present time. The group will look at issues around adoption as well
as everything else to do with adolescence. Of course, there will be an emphasis on identity and adoption and it
is hoped that this extra support will address some of the issues which trigger troubled adolescent behaviour.
- Liaise with agencies and schools across the County to help them meet the specific needs of adopted children. Marilyn
recognises that there are so many areas where there is little understanding of adoption that the team will have to plan
very carefully how they manage the workload.
- Embark on additional training themselves to ensure that they have the skills required to provide effective support.
We all agreed that the Adoption Support Team have a daunting task ahead of them but that Marilyn's enthusiasm and
understanding of adoption issues will be a great asset.
Our thanks to Marilyn for an interesting evening.
Morag
WASGAP COMMITTEE
30 June 2004
Back to Newsletter
Back to Diary
Back to top
|
