Evaluation of a support programme for early permanence adopters and carers (2019)

The Care for Me First programme, funded by the Department for Education, aimed to improve early placement for young children via fostering for adoption and concurrent planning.

The programme included preparation training for potential early permanence carers and support groups for early permanence carers and adopters supported by a specialist clinician. The team evaluated the programme through depth interviews with support group leads and clinicians, feedback from adoptive parents and carers and social workers.

Executive summary

The Care for Me First programme, funded by a DfE Practice Improvement grant, aimed to improve early placement for young children via Fostering for Adoption and Concurrent Planning within London. Coram worked with Southwark Children’s Services, Action for Children, the adopter peer support network, We Are Family (WAF) and local authorities in London.

The programme offered:

  • Training and preparation for potential adopters who are considering early placement.
  • Parent and baby/toddler play groups for early permanence carers and adopters which are supported by a specialist clinician (e.g. child psychologist or child psychotherapist).
  • Training on early permanence for professionals.