Adoption support must go further
The Department for Education’s consultation, Adoption Support that Works for All, set an important ambition: to improve outcomes for adopted children and their families. At The Belay Foundation, we share that goal. But based on our experience working directly with families, we believe the current proposals fall significantly short of what is needed.
Specialist Support Workers: how it all began
Six years ago this month, as the news was full of a virus spreading from China through Italy, I headed to a café for a precious two hours. I wanted to make notes about something that had changed our lives. I wanted to share this joy with other families like ours. Our Specialist Support Worker, Jade, was at home helping my children create 3D models of Minecraft characters. I left the house, confident that Jade could handle anything that came up and that I wouldn’t have to spend a long time regulating and calming them when I got back. They were having fun and I could have a break. I knew if this could help us, it could help others …
Let’s Talk Respite
This National Adoption Week, we want to talk respite, and share the findings from our survey this summer on respite at home. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to take part.
This #NationalAdoptionWeek we can think of no better time to talk about how parents at home are – or are not – supported. In particular, we want to talk about respite.
Since 2020 we’ve been helping families to have stronger relationships by finding and training Specialist Support Workers to offer trauma-responsive childcare at home.
Welcome to our new CEO
We’re delighted to welcome Libby McVeigh as new CEO of The Belay Foundation. Libby brings a wealth of experience within the charity, private and public sectors and a passion for social justice. Exciting times lie ahead as Libby leads us to continue improving the lives of adoptive, kinship care and special guardian families.
The Trustees
The Belay Foundation