Most adoption agencies recommend that prospective adopters gain experience volunteering with children, usually before starting their adoption training.
You may already have lots of experience with children either through your own family or work life, and while this is something that you can discuss with your social worker, volunteering with children is seen as beneficial even if you are already a parent or if your job means you work closely with children.
Volunteering demonstrates a commitment and willingness to broaden your experience. It gives you the opportunity to gain wider experience with children of the age group you are considering adopting and bring a greater understanding of children’s emotional needs and help you to observe and understand how children manage different emotions. It can also give you more experience with children who have different emotional and physical needs.
All childcare is valuable experience so consider babysitting for family or friends whilst you’re exploring more formal arrangements.
The experience you gain through volunteering can help with your decision-making process and also help you build a strong application that highlights your strengths and suitability as a parent.
No matter how much experience you already have with children, choosing your volunteering organisation thoughtfully can bring wider insight and many adopters enjoy this experience and it can even build links for the future.
Be mindful that most organisations will require a DBS check for volunteering with children which may take a little time to process.
If you’re looking for support on your adoption journey, CATCH can help through all stages of the process, from the initial research all the way through to parenthood.
Discover more about the benefits of CATCH today.