Jack

Jack (age 5) is an engaging and determined little boy who is very bright. He is not easily deterred and has the most delightful mischievous smile.

Jack is the oldest of a sibling group of three but it is in his best interests, due to the children’s shared experiences, for him to be placed on his own with an adoptive family. He was moved from his foster placement with his siblings to his current solo foster placement five months ago. Jack continued to have monthly contact with his younger siblings until they were recently matched with an adoptive family. It is proposed that Jack resume direct contact with his siblings a few times a year once he is also matched with a family. Jack and his siblings were not able to remain within the care of their first family due to concerns around emotional abuse and neglect.

Like many five-year-olds, Jack has loads of energy and he enjoys playing outside and engaging in physical activities. Jack especially enjoys playing in the forest, climbing trees, playing in the park and football. He is excellent at assembling construction toys such as Lego and Meccano. Jack has an air of confidence and boldness about him, and he can draw adults in and engage them in play. When Jack did live with siblings, they struggled to share their adults and their play would become very boisterous. It was felt this was due to the neglect and abuse they had suffered together. When Jack was placed separately from his siblings and had his adults all to himself, he made significant progress and he can enjoy his time with his siblings when they visit. Although everyone agrees that living separately is the right thing for Jack and his siblings, Jack’s new family will need to support him to understand that this was not his fault.

Jack is fit and healthy, but he can sometimes present as younger than his years. When Jack gets upset, he can have tantrums that might be expected from a younger child. Jack’s carers know how to support him when he gets upset and he is responding fantastically to clear boundaries and nurturing care. It is likely that Jack is a little behind in terms of his emotional and behavioural development because of his early experiences and the moves he has had to manage.

Jack will need support to understand his journey and to feel safe and secure in his new family. It is possible that Jack may display some challenging behaviours to test the love and resolve of his new family during the initial stages of placement, and they will need to be resilient and understand why he is displaying these behaviours. There is lots of support available to assist with this. Jack has great potential and everyone who meets him has no doubt that he will continue making great progress with a loving family who can meet his needs.

Ethnic and cultural descent:

White British.

Family needed:

A two parent family, or one parent with a strong support network, who can meet and support Jack’s needs both now and in the future.

Contact plans:

Yearly two-way letterbox contact with birth parents and paternal grandmother. It is proposed that direct contact can take place, in addition to letters, 2 - 3 times a year between Jack and his siblings who are adopted. This direct contact would be arranged between the respective adoptive families, with support if needed.

Legal Status:

Full care order and placement order granted.