Coaching firm Talking Talent has launched a coaching programme to help staff during the adoption process, plus their line managers.
The programme is in response to the UK government’s reform on adoption to speed up the process.
The coaching focuses on how to communicate adoption plans to the boss, colleagues and suppliers; work handovers; managing, and the practical and emotional changes of working parents.
In April 2003, adoptive parents were granted statutory rights to adoption leave. Mirroring maternity leave, adoptive parents who have worked for their employer for least 26 weeks are entitled to up to 52 weeks’ leave. However, adoptive parents need only give seven days’ notice after being matched with a child. This could mean a sudden departure and a gap in the business if the process is not managed well.
The programme is run by executive coach and adoptive parent Sue Wellman, who said: “Just as the use of maternity coaching is becoming more widespread in companies as a way of supporting women, there is an equal need for companies to think about the same provision for people going through adoption.”
Chris Parke, CEO of Talking Talent added: “Coaching is an ideal tool to support employees through the process.”