Adoption UK statement on giving adopted children priority in school admissions

2 Nov 2011

Government announcement on giving adopted children priority in admissions to schools.

Adoption UK’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Pearce, made the following statement:

“We are delighted at the Government’s announcement. Giving adopted children the same priority in school admissions as looked after children has been one of the four main campaign areas during our 40th anniversary year in 2011, and an issue that we have been campaigning on for years. It features heavily in our publication, Supporting Adopters – Adoption UK’s recommendations for the future of adoption policy and practice, published earlier this year. We also launched a campaigning DVD film on the issue in 2010 – Trauma in the classroom – Learning Lessons for Adopted and Abused Children.”

“This announcement is long overdue and will dramatically change how adopted children and their families engage with the education system. It is an acknowledgement of educational issues faced by many adopted children because of their traumatising experiences of early abuse and neglect. The change is also an important signal of the value we place on adoptive parents and the role they play in parenting and supporting traumatised children to overcome their early difficulties.”

“The government are to be commended on taking this step and recognising the importance of adoption support and how the education system is part of this.”

“Adoptive parents will be overjoyed by these developments, which will bring to an end the pointless appeals and arguments they have with the school admissions system, trying to explain and justify why their adopted children have special educational needs that some schools are better equipped to meet. Now their time can be spent as it should be on parenting their children, supporting them in school and helping them overcome the trauma of their early years.”

ends

For further information:
Erika Pennington, Adoption UK – erika@adoptionuk.org.uk or 01295 752960.
Out-of-Office Hours: 07500 968475
Website: http://www.adoptionuk.org/

Notes for Editors:

Adoption UK

Adoption UK is a registered charity (number 326654) and adoption support agency, and was established in 1971.
Adoption UK is the only national charity run by and for adoptive parents. The charity’s aim is to provide and support a self-help network for adoptive parents to explore the unique social, emotional and developmental needs of adopted children and young people and their families. Through this network, Adoption UK also promotes effective learning practice, based on over 35 years’ experience of adoptive parenting, which is integrated with current theories of trauma, attachment and development.
Adoption UK supports parents before, during and after the adoption process
Members have experience of adopting in UK and abroad, from babies and toddlers to teenagers, with a wide range of medical, emotional, physical and learning difficulties.
Membership represents multicultural Britain.
The Online Community launched in November 2003 and won Charity Website of the Year 2004. Key features include message boards, letters, library of resources, database of real life experiences, special features and daily news. Over 80% of visitors are UK-based however the site has been embraced by people touched by adoption around the world.
Adoption UK offers a range of other services to adoptive families, including: a national telephone helpline; access to local support groups throughout the UK; contact networks; Adoption Today and Children Who Wait magazines, information leaflets and publications; training programmes and courses; and a lending library.
Adoption UK also lobbies and campaigns on behalf of the concerns of adoptive families.

Head Office: Linden House, 55 The Green, South Bar Street, Banbury, Oxon OX16 9AB

Tel: 01295 752240. Helpline: 0844 848 7900.

National Offices:

Scotland
172 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 5EA
Tel: 0131 555 5350

Northern Ireland
545 Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 3BU
Tel: 028 9077 5211

Wales
Penhevad Studios, Penhevad Street, Grangetown, Cardiff CF11 7LU
Tel: 029 2023 2221