What is it

Evaluation of learning from each preparation course session.

When is it used

It is documented after each session of the third phase: introduction to the preparation course to intercountry adoption and to the standards for homestudy assessments.
It is an input of stage four: planning the home study.

Tips and tricks

Do it on the very day of the course, as a couple.

Resource

My evaluation of what I have learned after I have completed  Session1

1. What have I learned about people’s motivations for intercountry adoption?
   
2. What have I learned about the key tasks in intercountry adoption?
   
3. What have I learned about the skills, knowledge and capacities that I will need to complete these tasks appropriately?
   
4. What skills and knowledge do I currently have and how can I demonstrate this?
   
5. What skills and knowledge will I need to acquire?
   

My evaluation of what I have learned after I have completed Session 2 

1. What have I learned about the importance of attachment?
   
2. What issues might this face me with and how might I address these?
   
3. What strengths have I identified in myself and my family that could help a child deal with difficulties around attachment?
   

My evaluation of what I have learned after I have completed Session 3

Loss and gains

1. What have I learned about the importance of loss and its impact in adoption for all parties to the adoption?
   
2. What did I learn about the gains for those involved?
   
3. If my child showed profound grief once they were old enough to understand more about their adoption, how equipped do I feel I would be to help?
   
4. What more understanding, if any, might I need to gain to feel well placed to support my child?
   What ideas do I have at the moment about what I might do?
   

Identity, differences and belonging

1. What have I learned about the different elements which contribute to an individual’s personal and social identity?
   
2. What have I learned about identity in the context of intercountry adoptions?
   
3. What might be some of the key issues my child might face in establishing their identity?
   
4. What have I learned about some of my responsibilities towards my child and their birth heritage?
   
5. What are some of the things I might need to learn in order to carry out my responsibility to my child?
   How might I begin this learning and what help might I need?
   

My evaluation of what I have learned after I have completed Session 4 

1. What have I learned about child development which will help me respond to my child’s needs as an infant, toddler, pre-school child and older child?
   
2. Have I read or seen films or TV programs on intercountry adoptions?
   Have I talked to other people who have experience of adoption?
   
3. What have I learned about health factors which will be important to my child and our family?
   
4. What key things have I learned that I will need to take account of when planning care of my child’s health after adoption?
   
5. Which services have I learned about that give advice, information or help with matters related to my child’s health and development?
   What more do I need to find out?
   

Learning points about the impact pre-adoption experience  can have on a child’s development and the resilience factor

1. What I have learnt about the potential impact of deprivation and institutionalization on child development which will help me as an intercountry adoption parent?
   
2. What I have learned which helps me feel confident about the challenges I might face?
   
3. What has helped me identify the additional support and help I would need to parent a child and make their best possible adjustment to family life?
   
4. What “protective factors” do I feel confident about putting in place for my child?
   What further learning or help do I think I need?
   

My evaluation of what I have learned after I have completed Session 5

1. What have I learnt about talking with my child about adoption?
   
2. Have I read or seen films or TV programs on intercountry adoptions?
   Have I talked to other people who have experience of adoption?
   
3. What parts of the adoption story do I feel more/less confident in talking about and why?
   What more learning or help might I need? 
   
4. What strengths have I identified in myself and my family that could help me advocate for my child within the local community?
   What additional strengths/skills might I need to develop?