| A message from our CEO |
While the next four years look hopeful for existing and prospective adopters, there needs to be an open discussion about the future of the Adoption Support Fund following the current Administration’s end of tenure in 2020, to determine what measures we can put in place to ensure the provision is available for years to come. A collaborative project that PAC-UK has led on may indeed contribute to this. The Consortium of Adoption Support Agencies (including PAC-UK and Adoption UK) has been successful in securing funding from the Big Lottery Fund to explore the feasibility of how social investment might contribute to the development of a sustainable funding platform for adoption support into the future thereby improving outcomes and service resilience. The project is working with two English regions together with the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the Department for Education. As a ‘realistically optimistic’ CEO, I would like to see PAC-UK be a leader in the shaping of the new adoption landscape, ensuring beneficiaries across the whole spectrum of our service delivery receive maximum benefit.  Peter Sandiford, CEO of PAC-UK PAC-UK provides a range of services to parents, carers, guardians and professionals who care for looked after, adopted or otherwise permanently placed children in their care. To find out more about PAC-UK’s education, children and family, adult support and birth parent services click here. |
| Training |
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Preparing the Roadmap to Leave Home 17th March 2016 |
Living with a Child that Self-Harms 21st April 2016 (Leeds) and 28th April 2016 (London) Self-harm is a broad term that can include cutting, burning, hair pulling, scratching and head banging. Understanding more about why a child or young person self-harms will enable you to provide the support and help they need. This new workshop for parents and professionals is presented by Liz Blakey, a psychotherapist and adopted person herself. It will explore helpful responses to self-harm and strategies to manage the emotional impact such as harm minimisation, risk management and sources of support. Parents and professionals will gain a vital insight into the underlying feelings of distress that underpin self-harm. |
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Click here for more information |
Click here for more information |
| PAC-UK Conferences |
PAC-UK will be hosting a number of events this year that are aimed at providing adoptive parents, foster carers, social workers and other professionals with essential skills and knowledge to enable them to help adopted or permanently-placed children. Brain Based Parenting: From Mistrust to Trust (Leeds) Saturday 23rd April 2016 The conference will consider the concepts of blocked trust and blocked care and attendees will learn ways to support under-nurtured children and how to help children seek comfort and experience joy.
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| Industry News |
| 1 in 12 Children Now Adopted by Same-Sex Couples |
According to The Times, the adoption of children by gay and lesbian couples is becoming commonplace with one in twelve children now being placed with same-sex parents; a clear indication that attitudes towards adoption within the LGBT community are transforming.
Statistics gathered by New Family Social show a similar rise in the commonality of same-sex adoption. Their results found that as of 11th December 2015, there had been 1,825 adoptions by people belonging to the LGBT community in the UK since 2006. Statistics also revealed that the yearly number of adoptions among same-sex couples in the UK has soared over the last decade from just 90 in 2006/2007 to 490 in 2014/2015. It is not just the UK that is showing progress when it comes to LGBT adoption rights. Just recently, Portugal’s parliament overturned the presidential veto on a bill to legalise same-sex adoption. President Anibal Cavaco Silva vetoed the same-sex adoption bill in January 2016, provoking criticism from human rights groups and politicians. Under the Portuguese constitution, the President will now be forced to sign the law before his term ends in March. Joining Portugal and their progressive attitudes towards gay adoption rights is Colombia. In November last year, Colombia’s constitutional court lifted any restrictions on same-sex couples adopting children, giving same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples for adopting. All these stats indicate a clear change in attitudes among the public and professionals towards same-sex adoption and one that seems set to continue to grow. However, despite the obvious progress, The Times found that many same-sex couples still fear that when it comes to adopting children, their sexuality will hinder them. This revelation highlights the importance of raising awareness of and supporting same-sex adoption. From 7th – 13th March this year, New Family Social will be running its fifth LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week. The event is designed to celebrate the successes of LGBT adoptive parents and foster carers while also attracting and encouraging prospective LGBT parents and providing them with the information they need for their journey to parenthood. Ultimately, the week aims to urge the LGBT community to consider adoption and find more families for children by highlighting the benefits and reality of adoption and how it can transform lives. Peter Sandiford, CEO of PAC-UK said: “In the UK we are making fantastic progress removing prejudice surrounding LGBT adoption and equality, which is evident in recent figures. However the work is not over and we need to encourage more same-sex couples to consider adoption and support them on their journey. Witnessing these legislative changes across Europe and South America shows a global recognition for LGBT rights; long may it continue.” |
| Fundraising |
| Thank you from PAC-UK |
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We would like to say a big thank you for all the support and donations we received last year. We raised a total of £37,610 in donations from private individuals, some of whom have been donating regularly for many years. These funds make an important contribution to improving and developing our services in the north and south. Regular monthly or quarterly donations are particularly valuable to us as they enable us to plan ahead. For further information on how to donate regularly, visit our website. |
| Braving the Brighton Marathon |
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We are looking forward to participating in the Brighton Marathon this year on Sunday 17th April and have three runners already committed. They are each aiming to raise £1,000 in sponsorship. All sponsorship money goes towards PAC-UK’s work. Please click here to show your support. If you would like to challenge yourself for a brilliant cause and raise some sponsorship money for PAC-UK, then please contact us. |
| Ride to the Challenge with RideLondon-Surrey 100 |
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On Sunday 31st July 2016, the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 will start in the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and follow a 100-mile route on closed roads through the capital and into the stunning countryside of Surrey. We have filled two of our three spaces for the 2016 ride and look forward to seeing how our team handles the leg-testing climbs. If you would be interested in joining the PAC-UK cycling team for RideLondon-Surrey 100 then please email sophie@pac-uk.org. Please click here to show your support. |
| Running Rings around Regent’s Park |
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Each year, PAC-UK enters a team of runners for the Regent’s Park’s 10k run held in November with all money going directly to the charity. Last year was extremely successful, with PAC-UK runner Juho Lahdenpera finishing 19th of 312 with a time of 40:53 and the team together raising over £1,250. We always welcome participants so if you are interested in running on behalf of PAC-UK to help us try and smash this year’s target then please email sophie@pac-uk.org. For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved click here. |
| Current Vacancies |
| We have several vacancies at PAC-UK in both our London and Leeds offices. If you are interested in any of our positions then click on the links below; please note that we do not accept CV applications so use the application forms provided. Child and Family Head of Service Manager (Leeds) Salary: £39,632 Working Hours: Full time, 5 days per week Location: Leeds, LS15 Sessional Child & Family Arts Therapist/Psychotherapist/Psychologist Salary: Circa: £40 - 50 per clinical hour Working hours: As and when required Location: London, NW5 Sessional Schools Trainer Salary: £35 per hour, plus travel time and expenses Working hours: As and when required Location: Leeds, LS15 with travel across the Yorkshire & Humber region |
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