Posted on January 28th, 2026
There is a particular kind of ache that comes with goodbye. For most people, it stings for a moment, then fades. But when you have grown up in the care system, when you have been adopted, fostered, or moved from placement to …
Christmas morning. Most children wake up to the familiar sounds of their family home, perhaps the rustle of wrapping paper or the gentle chaos of excited siblings. But for hundreds of children across the UK, this most treasured of mornings unfolds in unf…
Why is it important we look after the mental, emotional and physical health of foster, adopted and young people who grew up in the care system? Fostered, adopted, and young people who grew up in the care system often face unique challenges that can impac…
Based on the information gathered, here are the key reasons why people in the UK may choose to foster children rather than adopt:
Fostering provides a temporary home for children without the full legal and pe…
Every child deserves the warmth and safety of a caring home. The adoption and foster care systems play a crucial role in offering this refuge to children in need. However, these systems are not immune to challenges, notably the risk of explo…
The concept of the "''Primitive Poison''" refers to the profound sense of loss and abandonment that adopted children may experience due to being separated from their birth mothers at an early age. This emotional trauma can have lasting impacts on an adop…
By Susan Vickers
Adoption reunions carry the weight of profound emotions and the potential for life-altering connections. Yet, they are delicate dances fraught with complexities that can lead to unexpected outcomes. Here are some of the nuanced reasons w…
The journey of foster children through the care system is fraught with complexities. These young individuals often grapple with feelings of abandonment, rejection, and trauma--emotions that can have a profound impact on thei…
When we speak of adoption, our thoughts often gravitate towards the heartwarming tales of families being made whole, a child finding a forever home, and the boundless joys that follow. However, the story of adoption is multi…
By Susan Vickers.
The decision to place a child for adoption is one of the most profound acts of love and sacrifice a parent can make. Yet, this heart-wrenching choice often comes at a significant emotional cost, leaving birth parents to navigate a compl…
When considering expanding your family through adoption, embracing a group of siblings can be a uniquely rewarding decision. Sibling adoption not only keeps brothers and sisters together but also fortifies their ability to thrive in a ne…
by Susan Vickers
Welcoming a new member into your family through adoption is a profound and exciting journey. It’s a time filled with anticipation and adjustments, not just for parents but also for your biological children. Preparing your ex…
Introduction
In our journey to reshape perceptions and empower lives, we often encounter stories that reveal the profound impact of stigma on children in care and care experienced individuals. LAC, or Looked After Children, face unique c…
By Shanta Allen MBACP, Therapeutic Counsellor & Foster
Fostering in the UK in 2024 presents a unique blend of challenges and rewards. While the landscape has evolved over the years, the fundamental need for loving homes for children who cannot live with …
This week, from October 16th to October 22nd, 2024, the UK observes National Adoption Week, an annual event that shines a spotlight on the transformative power of adoption. As someone deeply involved in community support and championing …
A groundbreaking study has exposed significant challenges in mental health support for adopted children in the UK, revealing a concerning disconnect between parents' needs and available services. The research, which surveyed 98 adoptive …
This blog explores the profound psychological and emotional drivers behind care-experienced individuals' desire to reconnect with their biological parents. Drawing from personal narratives and psychological research, we examine how this …
Posted on February 25th, 2025
Mental health is often perceived through a clouded lens, leading to an environment where discussions are either hushed or hastily concluded. Imagine walking through life carrying an invisible weight, a weight that society un…
Posted on March 18th, 2025
When considering the breadth of challenges faced by care professionals, especially those in children's services, one pivotal aspect stands out—handling the invisible weights of vicarious trauma. Unlike more tangible obstacles, …
Christmas is often portrayed as the most wonderful time of the year – a season of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. However, for many fostered and adopted individuals, this period can bring unique emotional challenges tha…
Adoption is a deeply transformative journey, not only for the child and adoptive parents but crucially for the birth mother, whose role is often overshadowed and misunderstood. Understanding and honouring the birth mother's …
By Susan Vickers Executive Summary
Whilst social media feeds overflow with picture perfect family holidays, thousands of care experienced children across the UK face a different summer reality. With nearly 84,000 children currently in care and around 4…
Adoption isn’t just forms and fairytales. It’s a patchwork of real lives, complicated, moving, and rarely neat.
For every heartwarming first “Mum” or “Dad,” there’s a quieter moment too: a question, a gap, a feeling that doesn…
Posted on October 24th, 2025
Challenging the 'Last Resort' Myth and Embracing the Real Heart of Adoption
I had to excuse myself from the conversation. My friend was chatting with someone she hadn't seen in a while, and the familiar question came up: "Are…
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