Radio 4 'Bringing up Britain' adoption programme

[Lilka]

Did anyone listen to this? It was on last night and you can listen to it here

It was with a sort of 'panel' of people (Martin Narey, someone from BAAF, someone representing SW's) and others including adoptive parents had segments on it

I felt it had some good bits and some bad bits. Given the breadth of the issues they were trying to discuss (assessments, 'speeding things up', placing siblings together, transracial adoption, challenges of adoption etc) 45 minutes is not enough. Any one of those issues could have a whole program to itself. But I was overall impressed with Martin Narey, especially when they talked briefly about siblings. Martin was right on, saying that the starting point is to keep siblings together, but sometimes they should be seperated 'for their own good' because of their pasts and relationships. He even mentionned trauma bonds!

The last 15 minutes I felt weren't so good. I nearly turned it off when presenter introduced a certain, ah, "campaigner against injustice" we on MN are familiar with, who rambled for a bit about France and Slovakia and post natal depression, got a sensible and good answer from Martin...then completely twisted what Martin said and got into an argument with him. They continued it on Twitter today!

Then an adoptive parent mentionned dealing with some behavioural issues, and the presenter completely dismissed her and they basically ended up with the classic "all children are like that" which really annoyed me

Anyway, I'm now rambling, but I'm interested in what you thought if you listened? :)

[DameKewcumber]

I find it very hard to listen to programmes on adoption I don't know why But generally like to discuss them afterwards anyway! Never let the facts get in the way of a good discussion, me.

I can't believe they seriously tried to cover that many topics - would you have a programme on parenting for 45 mins that covered 5 or more separate areas?

"all children are like that" man that would have majorly pissed me off - can I complain without actually having listened?

The placing siblings issue is particularly a problem in my experience when one sibling is acting out abuse again on a younger sibling (I know an adoption disruption of one sibling caused for exactly this reason) or where an older sibling has significant emotional/behavioural problems after being in birth family for longer whereas a younger sibling has been removed much younger before significant abuse due to the uncovery of abuse of the older. Where I've seen this happen the prospective adoptive parents have pretty much been told that they come as a package and when older child is found to be totally unable to attach and child psychiatrist recommend on on one therapeutic foster parenting or specialist care in a boarding school, it transpires that SS kinda knew all along there was going to be a problem with DC1 but effectively used DC2 as "bait".

Sometimes I think its social worker who need to learn "love is not enough" not adoptive parents. These were adoptive parents who were very realistic about issues but ultimately could not put the younger child at risk any longer.

Sorry thats a bit of an essay!

[Italiangreyhound]

Have you expressed your views to BBC? It's always good to give them feedback and help to mold future programming, could we hear you on the radio one day??

[Devora]

I must say I DO think Martin Narey is quite impressive.

[Karaokemamma]

Hi,
I listened to the programme as well. It was a bit unfulfilling cramming all those topics in to such a short slot.

I would have liked to hear more about special guardianship orders, I think these are a disaster waiting to happen from what I have read.

Also more on the impact of benefit reforms and the placing of sibling groups.

I like Martin he speaks sense.