Profiles

Cora (8 years old)

Cora is subject to a full care order and a placement order has been granted.

Cora will soon be 8 years old and full of fun with a big heart ready to love and be accepted by a new family. Cora has been in foster care since July 2010 having experienced severe neglect along with her 4 siblings, two sisters and two brothers. Cora’s mother experienced neglect and abuse in her childhood and this has seriously affected her capacity to parent Cora and her siblings.  Cora’s mother has also rejected and blamed Cora for their difficulties and this has affected Cora’s confidence and self-esteem.  Cora’s mother has acknowledged that she has treated Cora very differently and taught her older daughter to do the same which has been emotionally distressing for Cora.

Cora’s father is from Albania and was married to her mother for about four years before separating.  There was domestic violence present in the marriage and Cora did witness and hear these incidents when she was an infant.  Cora has not had any contact with her father for over two years and he has moved on with his life not wishing to retain any contact with Cora or her siblings.

Cora does have contact with her siblings and it is hoped that adopters might be willing to look at continued contact with siblings twice a year.  Contact with her birth mother will be letter box contact only twice a year.

Cora is a pleasure to be around and despite the rejection she has suffered, she has the most generous and forgiving nature and is not vengeful or spiteful, but has an overriding sense of fairness.  Cora makes you smile and has a good sense of fun; she is a very rewarding child that finds it easy to show affection.  Cora wants to be loved and accepted above all else and has the ability to form secure attachments which is evident with her foster carers.

Due to the early life experiences Cora does crave attention and express her emotions and whilst this might initially be difficult, any adopters will find her a rewarding and special child.
 
Cora has an appetite for life and has taken all opportunities offered and enjoys school, Brownies, books, Bible Club and talking.  Cora is keen on fairies and wearing colourful clothes and beads, she is very comfortable dressing up and looking pretty.

Cora has a good understanding about what has happened to her and is positive about finding a new family and working through the loss of her birth mother.  Cora is able to process the difficulties of her early life and now needs reassurance that she is worthy of being loved and valued in a new family.

Cora is making good progress in her learning and whilst she was below her peer group, extra support and tuition has seen her make improvements so that she is catching up quickly. Cora is a very bright little girl with a huge potential.

Callum (5 years old)

Callum is a 5 year old white British boy. He is a handsome little boy with blue eyes and blond hair. He is physically healthy. Callum is a very lovable, sociable, helpful and always wants to be involved in tasks such as shopping, taking the dog out etc.

Callum enjoys a wide range of interests such as playing with toy cars and watching Cbeebies. He is able to share and almost insists that you have some of whatever he has. He has good sense of humour and is very ticklish. He loves food and is eager to eat when he sees lunch or dinner being prepared. Callum can become preoccupied and anxious around ensuring that he has enough to eat.  He does not like brussels sprouts, garlic mushrooms or celery.

Callum thrives on routine but also adapts easily to changes. He can be challenging if he does not get his own way. He shows his displeasure by shouting or not listening. These tantrums are generally before bedtime or when he is over tired. The foster carer manages this behaviour by ignoring or giving Callum time out. Sometimes when Callum gets excited he flaps his hands but with encouragement from his foster carer this is decreasing.

Callum has been in foster care since April 2010 following domestic violence between his parents. Both parents have learning disabilities and communication difficulties and are of White British ethnicity. A Placement Order was granted on 27 April 2011. Callum has 3 older half siblings, 2 who have been adopted and the older child is subject to a Residence Order to a family member.

Callum has some developmental delay but he has made significant progress in all aspects of his life and he continues to thrive in foster placement. He has learnt how to hold a pencil, knows his colours, shapes, can also count to 10 but he is not yet able to recognise letters. His speech also has improved significantly since being in foster care but people sometimes find it hard understanding him. He is in receipt of speech therapy etc. which helps his communication skills. He has done really well in self-care skills. He is improving at getting dressed if you lay out clothes for him. He likes house pets and gets on with them. He also gets on really well with the two older children that share the foster placement with him.

Callum is enjoying school and teachers are pleased with his progress. He is not aggressive and gets along with his peers.

If you feel that you can offer Cora or Callum a forever family contact Susan Wilson  - Adoption Social Worker on 01732 52530 or by email susan.wilson@kent.gov.uk