Did you know that this week is National Adoption Week in the UK? The aim is to raise awareness of adoption and ultimately to find homes and families for children waiting to be adopted.
Adoption UK
Adoption UK is the leading charity for all those whose lives involve adoption, including adopted people, adopters and the professionals who support them. Subsequently, they have a series of events planned for this week, including webinars, online meetings and one-to-ones, focusing on the adoption process and featuring those who have experience of adopting older children, those with disabilities and siblings.
Clive’s Story
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Adoption week is a reminder for me (as if I need it) of the day in 2017 when our family was finally complete.
It was back in 2005 that we decided to increase our family through adoption. We jumped through hoops and were told that we were going to be in demand as we were a mixed-race family.
My wife contacted local authorities pushing our case. Our birth child Yasmin had been told that we were having a baby and she waited 2 years for the first one.
Eventually, we were linked with a baby in the North of England. Faisal joined us, then Zarah from the South. They were followed later by Raif and Noah who are both full siblings of Faisal.
In 2017 Noah was officially adopted by us. It’s one of my proudest moments and favourite photos, and this completed our wonderful family.
Our thanks will always go out to the social workers in Portsmouth and Darlington who made this happen for us, and to some wonderful foster carers who are amazing human beings.
Here at STR Group, we go above and beyond to support our staff and their families, providing some amazing benefits well above the minimum. We’ve had staff adopt and go through the process, and we’ve supported them throughout their journey.
Adoption is a wonderful way to build a family, and my wife and I will always be advocates of people working in adoption to support children when they most need help.
Supporting your staff
Despite strengthened legislation and often enhanced benefits, a survey by the NCT found that 1 in 3 women find it difficult to return to work after taking maternity or adoption leave. Businesses can help their staff who are going through the adoption process by providing support and making sure their Return to Work packages are up to scratch.
As an employer, we have a duty of care to ensure parents have a well-managed transition back into the workplace which supports their wellbeing. Our aim at STR is to ensure all employees are treated positively so that they can return to work under arrangements and within a work-place culture that works for them and supports their needs as adoptive parents.
With this in mind, we created an enhanced policy for mothers and fathers returning to work following the adoption or birth of their child. This includes:
- 13 weeks full pay whilst on maternity/adoption leave
- Additional 2 weeks paid leave in the first year following return to work
- £160/month ‘baby bonus’ to help pay for childcare during the first year
- Reduced hours during the first year
- Commission uplift in the first 12 months
Do you want to work for a company that truly values you, understands the importance of family, and will support you down whatever path life takes you?
Check out the links below if you are interested in learning more this week, or need some support.
