Adam and Lorna adopted two sisters, Harriet (aged 3 years 8 months) and Susie (aged 1 year 10 months), in December 2020 after the girls had spent nearly two years in foster care. The couple were thrilled to start their new life together; they dreamed of laughter-filled days and bedtime stories, but the early months were extremely challenging. The transition period was emotionally intense, and the girls’ trauma-related behaviours, combined with lockdown restrictions, created a difficult environment for everyone.

The first weeks were overwhelming. Susie’s nights were filled with distress, and Harriet experienced severe night terrors. Both girls struggled with separation anxiety, and their behaviours were difficult to manage. Lorna described feeling constantly needed, unable to find any headspace. School added another layer of stress, as Susie’s anxiety and behaviour were often misunderstood, leading to punitive responses that affected her self-esteem and sleep.

CCS Adoption Support

CCS provided a safety net that transformed the family’s experience. From the start, their social worker offered expert guidance, attending school meetings, mediating with foster carers, and securing Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) funding for therapeutic interventions:

“She [Social Worker] pre-empted the support we might need post-placement and had our ASF funding organised and signed off for child psychotherapist sessions which started very soon after placement. These sessions were a lifeline.”

Early access to child psychotherapy gave Adam and Lorna practical strategies to help their daughters process trauma and begin to heal. Theraplay sessions were another turning point, helping the girls build trust and strengthen their bond with their parents.

CCS also delivered high-quality training on therapeutic parenting and trauma, equipping the couple with tools to manage behaviours and support emotional regulation:

“We completed Hearts and Minds training on therapeutic parenting and trauma… It has stayed with me all this time.”

Beyond professional support, CCS created a sense of community. Lorna found a connection through art groups and the CCS Tots group, which became a lifeline during isolation. These networks provided friendships, shared experiences, and playdates where the family could relax without judgment.

The Impact

Over time, the changes were remarkable. Harriet, once fearful of Adam, now enjoys a close, trusting relationship with him. Susie, who initially expressed her feelings through aggression, has learned to talk about her emotions. Both girls now have a clearer understanding of their life story, thanks to CCS workshops and guidance, and the family feels confident discussing even difficult topics.

The couple believe that without CCS, their family might not have stayed together.

“We genuinely do not like to think about where we would be without CCS! It would be a very dark place, perhaps even a breakdown of our family.”

How CCS Adoption made the difference

CCS’s holistic approach combined expert advice, therapeutic interventions, and community support. This wasn’t just about solving immediate problems – it was about creating a foundation for long-term resilience and emotional security for the whole family. From the very first phone call, Adam and Lorna felt supported and understood. They were guided through complex decisions, given practical strategies to manage trauma-related behaviours, and connected to a network of other adoptive families who truly understood their journey.

The professional input was life-changing. Early access to child psychotherapy and Theraplay helped the girls process their experiences and begin to trust again. Training such as Hearts and Minds gave Adam and Lorna confidence and tools they still use today. Alongside this, the sense of community provided by CCS groups and workshops meant they never felt alone, even during the hardest times.

Today, Adam and Lorna describe themselves as a happy, close-knit family. They credit CCS with giving them the tools and support to overcome challenges that could have shaken their confidence and disrupted family life. Instead, they feel equipped, supported, and deeply grateful for the care and commitment CCS showed throughout their journey. CCS didn’t just help them through adoption – it gave them the strength and knowledge to thrive as a family for years to come.

Our Impact