Skip to Page 16 for Summary of Some of the Key Themes

Adoption ACTIVITY Day, FAiRVIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL, Perth, 14 mAY 2016

feedback from participants

(Skip to page 16 for summary of some of the key themes)

Response from: / Comments / suggestions / SAR Comment / action to be taken
1. How would you describe you experience of attending the event?
Adopters / Your team were fantastic, very helpful, welcoming and experienced. They were a great support and were friendly and approachable. We thought the activities were amazing and certainly promoted interaction between adults and children.
There was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and all staff worked hard to make you feel relaxed and at ease.
Felt very apprehensive at first but soon settled and enjoyed the day. The event is very positive and has great potential for placing the children into families. It was great to meet the children.
Found bit strange as adopter. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves but felt bit difficult to spend time with kids.
Really lovely, fun day.
Initially anxious but not at all what we thought was a really fun and interactive day.
Excellent- apprehensive at first but quickly reassured once we started.
Positive. It was nice to meet other social workers, carers and children and to know that everyone is on the same side and aiming for a positive outcome.
Fun day, very relaxed.
We’ve really enjoyed the experience- it’s been lovely to meet children in such a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure just an opportunity to have lots of fun.
The event was well organised in relation to pre communication, delivery of the event and the support from the volunteers.
Very positive-engaged with children, foster carers and social workers easily. Enjoyed activities
Overwhelming but overall positive experience.
Loved it. Food very good and staff were helpful.
Our experience was very positive.
Foster Carers / Really enjoyed it. Great day.
Very well organised. Volunteers very helpful. Buffet lively and variety of play/ activities was good.
Much better than expected , enjoyable, well organised, activities for all to participate, very open, friendly and sociable
We felt very much at ease with the whole experience.
It was a wonderful afternoon for both of us. We both felt relaxed ad comfortable here.
It was very well organised, friendly and fun for both myself and my foster child. The overall experience was a good one although ultimately the proof of this will be in a successful match being made.
Was more informal than we thought and felt it was a good day out for all concerned.
It was an interesting day and enjoyable. The children seemed to be having fun and it was quite relaxed, no undue pressure on them, they could just be themselves.
Venue was ideal. Wondered how we would have coped if the weather had meant no outdoor use.
Social Worker for child / It was wonderful! The kids, the adults and volunteers were enthusiastic in the best interest of the child.
Although I was apprehensive regarding the potential impact on the children. I was actually very surprised that I found the day to be a positive event, and low key despite the number of adults all of the children appeared to have a nice day and the prospective adopters were all happy and playful when with the children.
This was my first experience of attending an adoption activity day. I came with an open mind and found that the day exceeded all my expectations.
Disappointed that the day at times lacked cohesiveness
I enjoyed the experience and thought it was a positive day. It was a relaxed atmosphere which helped.
Social worker for an adopter / Initially I was unsure how it would work in practise. It was relaxed and good fun.
Thanks to the careful planning and organisation of the event, I was pleased that it went better than I expected. The nice weather also helped to spread out the activities giving the children and adoptive parents plenty of space in which to interact.
On a sad note, the event helped to confirm the length of time it takes some children to be placed for adoption and equally so the length of time it takes some adopters to find ‘their child/ren’.
It was an enjoyable afternoon-made all the better by the weather which enabled us to use the outdoor space. It was my first experience of activity day and I actually found it less daunting than the exchange day that I’ve been to.
Having previously attended this event in England with much fewer children and more adopters, I felt the event was much more positive. The atmosphere felt more relaxed.
Initially anxious about attending the event. However, found the day well organised and lots of activities for the children to get involved in. Our adopters were overwhelmed and did find the day difficult and emotional.
Positive, the timetable worked well and there was enough staff to keep things moving smoothly. Everyone was very approachable. It was good to see the asterisks to denote sibling groups. I was talking to foster carers who had concerns about the child they had brought and it transpired afterwards that the social workers did not share the concerns-this was unsettling for our adopters and should probably have been ironed out in a pre-meeting beforehand. Having said that, we appreciated the carer’s honesty and regardless of which diagnosis may emerge, this probably enabled our adopters to make the right choice which can only be good for the child in the long run.
It was a really good day. I have attended many of these events before (in London) so knew what to expect. Loved the venue as it had many different rooms which I feel worked well with children who struggle in bigger groups. Staff were very welcoming and personable which helped adopters and social workers feel at ease.
After travelling a fair distance to take part in the activity day I was not disappointed with the overall content and success of the day.
I was made to feel welcome by all staff from arriving in the car park until the end of the day when saying goodbye. The refreshments and venue were great and offered a wide range of rooms and outdoor space to suit all needs. As well as spending time with adopters in a supportive role I was able to spend time speaking with foster carers, social workers and enjoy a small amount of time with the children which made the day go by very quickly and I have to say didn’t feel like work at all. Lots of positive feedback about all volunteers, activity coordinators and the story telling theatre company.
These days can be emotional rollercoasters for adopters and there were a few times I say saw people looking a little bit overwhelmed which is understandable. However, the staff came to support them as well as the positive and appropriate engagement of activity coordinators was helpful in offering advice and supporting them to find opportunities to engage with children. Very well balanced and overall hopefully deemed to be a success by all.
Volunteer / This was my first experience of attending an event like this so everything was new. I was aware of how stressed some of the adopters were in the briefing room and when they were around the children and other adults. It had not occurred to me that there would be an element of competition due to large numbers of adopters and the smaller number of children attending-this must have added to the pressure that adopters were already under and made me mindful of this during the day. / Ensure the ‘competition’ issue is addressed directly in briefing session. Briefing also to reassure adopters that they are not being assessed
I found the event enjoyable all those in attendance were very friendly and focussed on the plan for the day. The venue was excellent and the organisation was first class. The weather helped with activities and I found in the main the adopters willing to engage with the children.
I was fascinated and loved meeting all the other volunteers. I could see the children were having a good time. I met a number of adopters whose emotions were very high and who needed someone to talk to.
I had a great day, very enjoyable and I felt it was a very positive experience for everyone. The children in particular seemed very happy and treated the day as one big party. I had reservations beforehand regarding the ethics of it all, but was reassured throughout the day that it was actually a very practical, thoughtful and sensitive way of finding matches for children. The range of activities for the children and adults were great, a very good balance of busy and quiet areas, and the entertainment was well pitched at the audience.
Positive, fun event for the children, which gave adopters the opportunity to engage with them.
Initially I had been really concerned that there were too many adults compared to children but once the event got going it felt ok and the children didn’t seem to notice that they were outnumbered. Probably felt better because so many people outside.
Great experience and was glad I was able to attend. Had not been to one before and was intrigued to see ow the children and adopters managed in this situation. I found this whole event useful and informative in my practice of working with adopters.
2. How well were you prepared?
Adopters / Good information given from social worker which prepared us for the day.
Very well. Prep meeting and discussion with social worker.
Preparation all fine.
Quite well I think.
We were well prepared. The information was useful beforehand.
Very well- we attended the briefing two weeks in advance and felt comfortable with what was going to happen.
We had a discussion with our social worker beforehand. Also the initial briefing was helpful.
I think family prepared. Not phased.
Didn’t have much preparation beforehand but the instructions received in the post were useful.
We had attended an event before, therefore we felt prepared.
All info given, questioned answered
2nd time to one of these events.
Under prepared emotionally.
We had discussed the event and knew more or less what it would involve.
Foster Carer / Very well
Very well. The prep-training event was very useful and informative.
Well informed about the day. Pre briefing day very useful about what to expect. A little anxious before arriving but within minutes of arriving all was gone.
I felt as well prepared as I could have been. I attended the AAD briefing session in inverness and I found this extremely beneficial as it provided me with an opportunity to ask questions and allay some of my anxieties. Email and phone communication with Jess and Robin in the run up to the event was also very helpful.
We were very prepared for the event and well prepared by social worker helping to prepare the children.
Adequately
The preparation was at a good level and we did not feel ill equipped or out of our depth.
I wasn’t able to attend a briefing event but was given literature for it and this was more than sufficient. There were no unexpected surprises on the day.
Social worker for a child / I felt very well prepared. I attended the briefing session and received a lot of the paperwork and info before-hand.
The AAD prior session gave a good overall explanation of the day. The purpose and aims were clearly stated.
Received information from SAR other than this I had to reply on my experience of preparation for Adoption Exchange Days I participated within 2 years previously.
Neither myself nor the foster carers were able to make the information meetings. However, we each had a very long and detailed phone call with Robin which together with the extensive and comprehensive paperwork provided excellent preparation.
Social worker for an adopter / Very, Robin did an input prior to the event.
I attended one of your briefings and was given reading materials and a DVD which I watched with the adopter I came with to the event.
I attended the briefing in Stirling and read all the information that had been sent prior to the day. I feel that this gave a good outline of what was going to happen.
The information given prior (both via email and on the day in the prep talk) was detailed.
Had attended previous event and felt well prepared.
Very well. The introduction and welcoming speech by Robin helped people’s understanding of the layout of the day and what to expect.
The information was shared in a timely way following the completion of the referral form and Robin was available to answer any questions given that we were travelling a great distance to attend the activity day.
Had read the literature provided.
Very well prepared.
Cautious, apprehensive but open-minded. Child was looking forward to it after using the workbook to prepare. Optional fancy dress brought with us.
Volunteer / Briefing was informative and helpful. Being part of the steering group helped me to be clear about the planning and structure of the day.
I had some information prior and felt I was well briefed on the day.
I know the venue and surrounding area we had info about the event but it is not until you really participate in one of these events that you can appreciate the ethos and layout of the day.
I attended following one meeting of the steering group so I had some knowledge of what was going to be involved. I was perhaps not so aware that there would be a large number of adopters attending from England.
Robin explained the day well prior to our attendance and also briefed us on the day. Jobs/tasks were allocated and I very clear in regards to what was expected.
The information was very full and helpful. However, I was not prepared for the challenges of the physical layout of the school, with the separation of the adopters’ room for the main event.
I felt very well prepared for the day. Robin had given us a briefing session beforehand which had covered all of the main issues and plans, and on the day we had another briefing allocating jobs etc. It was very well organised and run.
3. What was positive about the event?
Adopters / The experience was invaluable; it allows you to see the types of children seeking families and also see beyond their profiles into their personalities. It also tests your own resilience and gives you an insight to how introductions may be.
Relaxing atmosphere and well organised in terms of practicalities.
Range of events/activities, enjoyable and great weather made a difference
Watching the kids have great fun. Chatting over with other adopters some issues which proved to be more common than actually thought.
Everyone was so friendly and had a great time.
Interactive and lots of activities for all to participate in.
Brilliant atmosphere/ activities. Very well managed, particularly with regards to the children.
Relaxed atmosphere with lots of activities for all characters. The team were great facilitators on the day. No stress.
The weather was lovely. Everyone was having fun as there was lots to do.
It was a lovely relaxed afternoon. It was good, we didn’t feel under any pressure to get involved but were able to let children come to us and see what we were doing so they were relaxed with us too.
Organisation of the event, communication, entertainment for the children, refreshments and different zones for different themes.
No queueing to see children, relaxed and fun day but able to ask lots of questions and interact. Good venue.
All staff, activities, food etc.
Equal adults to children
The chance to see children for themselves and engage with them in a relaxed environment. There was a good variety of activities. The venue was particularly suitable.
Foster Carer / Children enjoyed and I don’t think we could pick out of it all.
The wide variety of activities on offer to appeal to the wide range of children’s ages and abilities.
Found the whole day a positive experience. The organisation and activities were great for all to participate and enjoy. No pressure. Kids really enjoyed.
Range of activities, the venue was private and secluded with various ‘break out’ rooms, volunteers were excellent and knowledgeable and no real sense that children were being observed by prospective adopters.
It was really good fun for the children, there was plenty for them to do. The helpers were very attentive; making sure everyone was having a good time.