Help & Support
FAQs
WHAT IS FIRST STEPS?
First Steps is a First4Adoption e-learning initiative that gives registered users access to a wealth of professionally produced information, case studies and exercises on the subject of adoption in England.
First4Adoption is the dedicated information service for people interested in adopting a child in England.
WHAT CAN FIRST STEPS DO FOR ME?
Registered users have full access to a wide range of in-depth material about all aspects of adoption, its joys and its challenges, contributed by adoption professionals, including: case studies, exercises and audio episodes.
Users work through at their own pace, tracking their scores as they progress through the material, increasing their knowledge and understanding as they go.
Access to First Steps is free and you can spend as long as you need to with the materials we provide, in preparation for your formal adoptive training.
WHY DO I HAVE TO REGISTER TO USE FIRST STEPS?
With a user account First Steps allows everyone to track their progress and their scores in the exercises they have completed.
Additionally, some of the later exercises cover subjects that are incredibly important, but can be emotionally challenging without suitable introduction. Having a user account allows First Steps to follow your progress and only unlock these modules for you only when you have reached the appropriate point.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO REGISTER?
Registration with First Steps is completely free.
WHY CAN'T I ACCESS ALL OF THE EXERCISES?
Many of the exercises are available for you to access right away, however some of the later exercises cover subjects that are incredibly important, but can be emotionally challenging without suitable introduction. First Steps follows your progress as you complete unlocked exercises and will only unlock these advanced modules for you only when you have reached the appropriate point.
WHAT ARE THE TIMES SHOWN ON THE EXERCISES?
These times are indicative and only shown as a guide. They are simply to help you to plan your time on the website; whether you have half an hour, a quick 5 minutes, or as long as you like. Lessons are to be used as reflective learning, not rushed through.
WHAT PERCENTAGE DO I NEED TO PASS?
You cant ‘Fail’ First Steps. There is no definitive right and wrong answer when dealing with such subjective issues. Completing First Steps means that you have engaged with the content and hopefully have learnt enough to feel that you are an extra step closer to being ready to adopt.
CAN THE ADMIN VIEW MY EXERCISE NOTES?
Yes. The space is there for you to be able to record your thoughts responding to each Exercise, the Admins for the site will be able to see these so make sure not to record things that are too personal. NB: We have made it simple to aggregate these notes so that you can print them out in preparation for your first Group Session.
SHOULD MY PARTNER AND I COMPLETE FIRST STEPS SEPARATELY?
This is completely up to you, but it may be good for you to complete it together so that you can discuss and face complications as a unit. NB: If you decide to complete it separately there is a favourite flag in the top right of all exercise pages so that you can mark things as favourite for your partners attention.
WHY CAN'T I ACCESS SOME LESSONS?
Some of the exercises have been progression locked because they rely on your understanding the exercise before. To take these locked lessons all you need to do is complete the exercise before.
EMAIL PROBLEMS?
You may be experiencing delays in receiving your password reset emails, or worse, not receiving them at all. Here are a few steps to help you to help yourself and if all else fails how you can contact us to get you access and back on track.