Lincolnshire Police detective inspector speaks of his experience adopting with his wife, a crime scene investigator to mark National Adoption week

A detective inspector has spoken about the experience of adoption to mark National Adoption week.

DI John Treharne at Lincolnshire Police described the challenges faced by those wishing to adopt during an often lengthy and thorough process.

“My wife and I suffered difficulties in having our own biological children and we came to the decision we wanted to adopt a child,” he said.

“During that time, we asked why were there these disparities in policies. I was only allowed time for two appointments off as the secondary adopter.

“It was so very different to having a birth child as it involves having to be approved at an adoption panel, the introduction of a child from care into your household, and the need for extra time for that child to bond with you.

“I spoke to a number of other people in the Force who had gone through this. To be able to adopt, every part of your life is poured over in detail – they speak to your family, and friends, assess your house, assess how you are going to be as a parent. There are around 40 social worker visits.

“Thankfully we were both very well supported by our line managers but there is an obvious impact in adopting a child that is coming to you with potential attachment issues, emotional problems and invariably with some form of trauma.”

Hayley Measures, from our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, worked with DI Treharne and his wife Jeanette, a crime scene investigator, and presented to our People Board processes that would change the policy.

The policy changes, which are now live, include both adopting parents being eligible to receive five days of paid leave for attending pre-adoption appointments.

Managers allow flexi-time Time Off In Lieu where possible to allow for adopters to attend social worker appointments or related events.

Adoption support leave has been extended by two weeks of paid leave in recognition of the settling-in period required for the adopted child and family.

Also a reminder in the procedure that flexible working may be requested on a temporary or longer-term basis and one day of paid leave to mark the celebration day, in which a court officially recognises the adoption.

DI Treharne, who adopted with his wife Jeanette when their daughter was a baby continued: “This puts us leaps and bounds ahead in terms of supporting people adopting.

“More than 80,000 children are in care and people want to adopt, so it’s fantastic to see that Lincolnshire Police are being so progressive with their policy.”

Hayley added: “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, and having spoken to other couples across the force who have adopted, it is clearly a very different and emotional journey for adoptive parents.

“I was happy to help develop their proposals as I could see that these would make a positive difference to supporting both adoptive parents pre- and post-adoption.”