Adoption Process Witnessed by Lincolnshire Police Inspector
Lincolnshire Police's Detective Inspector John Treharne has shared his experience of adoption, shedding light on the challenging process he and his wife, Jeanette, endured to become adoptive parents. Despite the couple's readiness to adopt due to their inability to have biological children, the adoption procedure required more than they originally expected.
Adoption Investigation
Throughout their journey to adopt, Det Insp Treharne reported that they underwent approximately 40 social worker checks, wherein every aspect of their lives were "pored over in detail". "My wife and I suffered difficulties in having our own biological children, and we came to the decision we wanted to adopt a child.". Det Insp Treharne wonders, "why were there these disparities in policies?" as the adoption process differs markedly from the birth child procedure.
The Challenges of Adoption:
According to him, adoption doesn't merely involve welcoming a child into a home. It requires approval by an adoption panel, an introduction of a foster child into your household, and plenty of bonding time. This observation has been supported by other members of the force who had also experienced the adoption process.
"Every part of your life is poured over in detail – they speak to your family, friends, assess your house, assess how you are going to be as a parent," Det Insp Treharne explained, highlighting the rigorous investigation and the profound personal and emotional impact of adopting a child with possible attachment issues, emotional challenges, or trauma.
Supporting Police Officers' Adoption Journey
In response to the various challenges faced by officers in the adoption process, Lincolnshire Police has introduced several new policies to better support potential adoptive parents. These include five days of paid leave for pre-adoption appointments, a two-week paid leave to help the adopted child adapt to their new environment, and a paid day off to celebrate the official court endorsement of the adoption.
More than Statutory Policies
Hayley Measures, a member of the police's equality, diversity and inclusion team, expressed her understanding of the unique emotional journey of adoptive parents, stating, "The adoption leave procedure mirrored the maternity leave statutory entitlements for leave before and just after the adoption takes place. However, hearing John and Jeanette’s adoption experiences, ... it is clearly a very different and emotional journey for adoptive parents."
She was compelled to contribute to the development of support proposals that would assist adoptive parents both before and after the adoption process. Det Insp Treharne and his wife, now crime scene investigator Jeanette, have since happily settled down with their adopted daughter.