Showing papers in "Adoption & Fostering in 2000"

Intercountry Adoption: Global Trade or Global Gift?

Abstract: In this article, based on a paper given in Oslo, Norway in May 1999, John Triseliotis contends that a significant part of intercountry adoption lacks legal, moral or professional legitimacy. Since ...

Men as Foster Carers: A Neglected Resource?

Abstract: In this paper, Robbie Gilligan sets out to highlight questions about the role and experiences of men as foster carers in fostering couples.1 The sparse literature relevant to the topic is reviewed; some of the therapeutic and practical reasons for the significance of the man's role in foster care are considered; findings from a small exploratory study of male foster carers and their role are presented; and certain policy implications arising are discussed. The author has been a foster carer himself.

Adoption with Contact: A Study of Adoptive Parents and the Impact of Continuing Contact with Families of Origin

Abstract: Adoption practice in the 1990s has seen a substantial increase in adoptive families where there continues to be contact with families of origin. This study by Margaret Sykes, based on postal questionnaire responses from 30 adoptive parents in 17 families, followed up by interviews with 15 adopters in nine families, considers adoptive families at least two years after placement, and aims to enhance our understanding of the meaning of these contact experiences for adoptive parents. The analysis of the narratives from the interviews has considered 1) the impact on parenthood, exploring themes of control, entitlement to parent, communication, bonding and ownership, and 2) the relationships between adoptive and birth parents, examining themes of fear, anger and blame, competition and empathy. The findings suggest that the passage of time and a greater sense of control assist in establishing confidence, while adopters develop a more empathic view towards birth mothers. This has emotional costs to the adoptive m...

Responding to Irish ‘invisibility’: Anti-discriminatory social work practice and the placement of Irish children in Britain:

Abstract: Irish people are the largest ethnic minority in Britain, yet social work has failed to incorporate an Irish dimension into the discourse of anti-discriminatory social work practice Paul Michael Garrett argues that, despite this ‘invisibility’, Irish children are likely to have specific needs which arise from their experience After underlining the importance of understanding the historical context for Irish children in need of placements, he discusses how legislation and some guidance documentation provide a foundation for evolving a more culturally responsive service Despite an inchoate backlash against a professional sensitivity to the ‘race’ and ethnicity of looked after children, he concludes that it is still possible to promote changes which might better meet the needs of Irish children

Loss and Grief in Adoption: The Impact of Contact:

Abstract: In adoption, children experience the loss of significant attachment relationships, based on the internal working models of their parents which were formed from birth and, rooted in memories, strongly affect them throughout childhood. Ann Courtney maintains that before children can move on to the next stage of mourning their losses, those original models have to be made explicit. She considers how this can be achieved by ‘incorporating’ the birth parent in some way into the daily life and relationships of the child. The likely effect of contact is discussed, as is the role of the adoptive parent and possible therapeutic intervention.

Searching, Reunion and Transracial Adoption

Abstract: Derek Kirton, Julia Feast and David Howe Report on findings from qualitative interviews with transracially adopted adults, carried out as part of a research project by The Children's Society. Findings show that those adopted transracially shared many experiences with other adopted people, including almost invariably feeling that they have gained from searching and/or reunion. For many transracially adopted people, issues of racial and ethnic identity figured prominently within motivation for searching, but their needs and aspirations in this regard often went unmet. Finally, the implications of the research for family placement work and post-adoption services are considered.

Male Foster Carers: What Do We Mean by ‘Role Models’?

Abstract: In the last issue of Adoption & Fostering Robbie Gilligan set out the need to focus on the roles of male foster carers. Simon Newstone continues the debate with an examination of how male foster carers perceive their responsibilities, often referred to as providing a ‘positive male role model’ to children. Discussions and interviews with men who foster reveal divergent views about what this role model comprises. A review of literature and research suggests that ‘involved’ male carers can contribute to better outcomes for children, including fostered children. Involved men may offer a ‘nurturing’ or a ‘traditional’ male role model to youngsters. Outcomes in areas such as health, education, and self-care will be improved for looked after young people if male foster carers model good practice, and are actively involved in the children's lives. Agencies need to review the roles they expect male carers to play, and improve the ways in which they acknowledge and support men.

Perceptions of fatherhood: birth fathers and their adoption experiences

Abstract: Very little is known about men whose children have been given up for adoption. This thesis explores the experiences of thirty men 'birth fathers'. The findings of the thesis offer an insight in respect of another relatively unexplored subject the factors and dynamics involved in men's perceptions of themselves as fathers. The experiences of the respondents provide a point of entry to contemporary discussions concerning fatherhood. Information relating to the experiences, thoughts and feelings of the respondents was collected in a series of in-depth qualitative interviews. The interviews covered the period before the birth of the child and the men's experiences of the birth, the adoption and immediate post-adoption events. Data was also gathered relating to the men's thoughts about the children and the place of the adoption experience in their lives. Expectations, motivations and precipitating factors relating to a wish for contact with the adopted child were also discussed. In ten cases, where meetings had taken place with their (now adult) children, the experience of meeting and subsequent contact with a son or daughter was explored. A central theme that emerged from the data was that the respondents' experiences of the adoption had been long lasting and felt to be detrimental. The events of the time were reported as having been impactful and to have retained an emotional salience in their subsequent lives. For a majority, their adopted child had a continued existence in their thoughts. Many of the respondents reported an ongoing sense of 'connectedness' with the child some described this as paternal in nature. It is suggested that there are some commonalities between men and women's experiences of being a birth parent. This finding invites a discussion of conventional notions of maternity and paternity. It is argued that the data and findings from the respondents' experiences suggest that conventional notions of fatherhood are limited in that they generally refer to a father's activities with his child. The men in this study did not have experience of parenting yet many described feeling like fathers in respect of the adopted child. The thesis explores possible origins and bases of this paternal sense. The thesis suggests an expanded notion of fatherhood that would include men's self perception of fatherhood. Fatherhood may not only be viewed as something that is done but also something that may continue to exist when the father and child are substantially apart in the case of the respondents, the two parties had never been together. The conclusion of thesis returns to an earlier discussion relating to the existence of negative assumptions and stereotypes regarding fathers. These appear at government, public and professional levels. The conclusion also discusses features of current postadoption research and practice and identifies'some problems of terminology that point to underlying assumptions in relation to men and women, and in respect of adopted people and birth parents. The implications for the way that we think about kinship are also discussed. Some suggestions for further research are made e.g. for a critical sociology of the birth parent experience.

Infant Adoption in England: A Longitudinal Account of Social and Cognitive Progress:

Abstract: In many ways, within-country infant adoptions are becoming a thing of the past. However, several factors arising from this study of social and cognitive progress in children adopted as babies may be equally salient for older-placed children, especially in middle childhood and early adolescence. From a sample of 52 children in the same number of families, placed before the age of six months, Jenny Castle, Celia Beckett, Christine Groothues and the English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) study team looked at outcomes such as adoptive parents' marital and emotional adjustment, evaluation of the adoption and children's cognitive attain-ment in two phases — at age four and six years. Overall, the study confirmed earlier research to suggest that infant adoptions tend to lead to very good social and intellectual progress in children, as well as high parental satisfaction.

A Legitimate Choice and Voice: The Experience of Adult Adoptees Who have Chosen Not to Search for their Biological Families

Abstract: Although the phenomenon of searching for biological parentage by adoptees has been well documented over the last decade, limited attention has been paid to the experience of those people who decide not to search. Heather Roche and Amaryll Perlesz present the findings from an Australian pilot project in which the experiences of three mature non-searching, adult adoptees were explored in depth. The findings indicate that the decision to search or not to search reflects an ongoing developmental life process congruent with the social and familial context of the adoptee. Loyalty to their adoptive family, comfort with and commitment to birth parents, the co-existence of a strong ethic of reciprocity, and an ethic of self-discovery and belief in a spiritual connectedness with a ‘bigger Other’ emerged as the most predominant reasons for not searching for their biological roots.The narration of their adoption stories had a very positive impact on the participants in this study. The paper concludes that there is a ...

Developing a Post-Adoption Groupwork Service for Non-Consenting Birth Mothers

Abstract: Jenny Jackson writes about an informal group-work service offered by Support After Adoption for birth mothers whose children have been in care and then adopted. The service described in this article began in 1998 in Nottingham and is now being extended to the Mansfield area. Jackson outlines the background informing the development of this service, including links with other agencies working in this way, the options considered and chosen, and the aims and value base of the service finally offered. She describes the composition and process of the group as it developed and the themes which emerged. Finally, she offers workers' and participants' evaluations of what these birth mothers gained from the group, highlights some of the learning outcomes for Support After Adoption and considers ways in which the team hopes to take this work forward.

Infant Adoption in England: Policy and Practice at Placement

Abstract: Following on from their article, ‘Infant adoption in England: a longitudinal account of social and cognitive progress' (Adoption & Fostering 24:3, 2000), Jenny Castle, Celia Beckett, Christine Groothues and the English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) study team focus attention on the same group in relation to the policies and practices of social services and voluntary adoption agencies at placement. From interviews with adoptive mothers of a sample of 52 infants, placed between 1989 and 1991, they examine differences between the two sectors regarding issues such as contact, links with family background, openness and post-placement support. The authors also report on adoptive parents' opinions about the provision of pre- and post-adoption services. They conclude that co-operation between social services and voluntary adoption agencies could improve both services.

The Strengths of Black Families: Appropriate Placements for All:

Abstract: The strengths which black families bring to substitute parenting have rarely been explored in detail in British social work research literature. A recent study on the permanent placement of black c...

Waiting for Court Decisions: A Kind of Limbo

Abstract: One of the specific objectives of the Children Act 1989 was to reduce the duration of care proceedings, since it was recognised that a long period of uncertainty was likely to be harmful to children. But care proceedings have in fact been increasing steadily in length since the Act was implemented in 1991. Chris Beckett presents the evidence for this, reviews the available literature on the possible reasons and suggests that further attention needs to be given to the effects on children of such delays, which could be considered a form of ‘system abuse’.

Meeting the Placement Needs of Jewish Children

Abstract: There is little published literature on the placement needs of Jewish children in Britain. Golda Smith seeks to redress the balance, beginning with a brief historical summary of the experiences of Jews in Britain, including the roots of anti-Semitism. The article goes on to discuss the diversity within Jewishness, the importance of religion in children's understanding of their identity, the role of family customs and the implications of such issues for social work practice. Smith concludes with a call for all placement workers to have access to training and information about the placement needs of this neglected group.

Ethical Issues in Adoption

Abstract: As part of its remit to critically evaluate adoption policy and practice, the Evan B Donaldson Adoption Institute, based in New York, recently held a major international conference on the role of e...

Partnership Reviewed: Words of Caution, Words of Encouragement

Abstract: The concept of partnership with birth parents has been one of the key principles to inform British child welfare policy and practice in the last decade. Malcolm Hill focuses on the research evidenc...

Research Review: Transracial Placements: A Commentary on a New Adult Outcome Study:

Abstract: The publication of a new follow-up study of a transracial sample deserves special attention because the volume of longitudinal research in this field is fairly small. Alan Rushton and Helen Minnis ...

Ethnicity and Placement: Beginning the Debate:

Abstract: This article is based on an interview with John Small by Guest Editor Beverley Prevatt Goldstein during the Fourth International Conference of Caribbean and International Social Work Educators, whi...

The Rights and Wrongs of Post-Adoption Intermediary Services for Birth Relatives

Abstract: Liz Trinder examines the ethics of post-adoption intermediary services on behalf of the birth relatives of adults who were adopted as children Intermediary services can be seen as an attempt to equalise the rights to search of birth relatives and adopted people They also reflect wider beliefs about the importance of genealogical information and openness By their very nature, however, intermediary services dispense with the informed consent of those who are contacted, may cause upset or harm and potentially breach confidentiality and privacy Although a recent study indicates that a majority of adopted people find the intermediary services to be acceptable, this article argues that the rights of minorities must be respected and upheld The apparently neglected Adoption Contact Register is put forward as a better alternative

Providing a Birth Relative Intermediary Service: The Non-Searching Adopted Person's Perspective:

Abstract: The past decade has seen the continuing development of intermediary services for birth relatives of adopted adults. The Department of Health in London has now published practice guidelines to encourage uniformity and good standards of provision nationally. In the following article Janet Smith and Rose Wallace examine the messages for the provision of intermediary services from the recent Children's Society research study into adopted people's search for identity and reunion. The article focuses particularly on the views and experience of non-searching adopted people who have been contacted on behalf of a birth relative.

Inviting Applicants, Birth Parents and Young People to Attend Adoption Panel: How it Works in Practice

Abstract: Based on their experience as advisers to the Isle of Wight Adoption Panel, Sarah Pepys and Jennie Dix examine the practice of inviting adoption applicants, birth parents and young people to attend adoption panel when their plans or assessments are under consideration. They look at the setting up of a pilot scheme in 1994, which focused on preparing panel members, drawing together procedures and addressing practical problems, and describe subsequent developments and reviews. The authors argue that inviting all parties to share their views leads to better informed panel recommendations and enhanced planning for children for whom adoption is being considered. Mindful of the forthcoming implementation of the Human Rights Act, with its emphasis on fairness and the need to consider each individual's rights, it is timely for adoption agencies to consider how they demonstrate the openness of their practice.

Black Carers for White Children: Shifting the ‘Same-Race’ Placement Debate:

Abstract: In this article, Ronny Flynn explores the current position on placing white children with black or white carers. She goes on to examine how a skills-based approach can improve the options for both ...

Meeting health and ethnic needs in placement Planning for African children affected by HIV

Abstract: Based on their experience as workers with the London-based Barnardo's Positive Options Project, Joan Fratter and Benigna Kiwanuka Ndagire discuss practice and policy issues arising from the need to plan for African children whose primary carers are living with HIV. They argue that what they have learned from African parents, carers, young people and children affected by the virus could be applied to families with children from a range of minority ethnic groups who are experiencing similar suffering and uncertainty through HIV or another life-threatening illness. A growing demand for the appropriate recruitment, training and support of permanent and ‘flexible’ foster carers is emphasised, as is the overall importance of ensuring that health factors and ethnicity are fully incorporated into planning to meet the needs of the whole child.

Disabled Children in Long-Term Fostering and Adoption:

Abstract: Background The BAAF Disability Project (funded for three years by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales) has undertaken research on the placement for permanency of disabled children through fostering and adoption. Research in this area is extremely sparse. A re-analysis of the OPCS (Office of Population and Census Statistics) disability surveys between 1985 and 1988 has been published in Disabled Children in Britain (Gordon et al, 2000). Although the Children Act 1989 identified disabled children as ‘children in need’, there have been minimal data collected from local authorities and voluntary agencies since then on the numbers of disabled children, whether they are ‘looked after’, in adoption or fostering, or have come within child protection procedures. Morris (1998), in Still Missing, found that local authorities did not routinely and comprehensively collect data on how many disabled children were ‘looked after’, nor how many were in long-term placements. Nor could they determine what proportion of all children looked after were disabled, nor how long disabled children wait for family placements. Generally, ‘there is a dearth of information about disabled children in long-term placements’ (p 93). BAAF undertook a questionnaire survey of local authorities in order to develop a more complete profile of disabled children and their placement needs. As this was the first study of its kind, additional data were sought including information about ethnicity and matching, the specific impairments of the children and young people, how the families were identified, reasons for delay and details about siblings. The survey Definitions The definition of disability in the questionnaire was based on the social model of disability. This states that people with impairments are ‘disabled’ by society, and by the way society is organised to exclude them. The term impairment was used to refer to ‘the functional limitation within an individual caused by a physical, mental or sensory condition’. The definition differs from that used by the Department of Health, which includes children who have behavioural and emotional difficulties but who do not have an impairment. As it turned out, there were very few enquiries about the definition, with only one authority including their own. The questionnaire used tick boxes to identify whether the child had a physical or sensory impairment, or a learning difficulty, and there was a question asking for any known diagnoses.

Refocusing the ‘Same-Race’ Debate: An Editorial Overview on Ethnicity in Placement:

Abstract: I am honoured to have been asked to be Guest Editor for this special journal issue on ethnicity in placement. This edition comes at a very timely moment when the appropriate placement of black children is once again being contested (LAC 98/20). Additionally, a host of questions continue to be raised by: practitioners on good placement practice where there are dual or multiple identities, academics on the viability of the concept of identity, and researchers on the evidence for outcomes of placement. This edition does not address all these issues, many of which are covered elsewhere (Barn, 1999; Kirton and Woodger, 1999; Prevatt Goldstein, 1999). Rather, it seeks to widen and move the debate on from its narrow focus and continuous controversy on the relative advantages black carers may have, compared to white carers, in parenting black children. This special issue does not avoid this debate, but restates it simply, starting with an interview with John Small, one of a group of activists who, in the 1980s, challenged the common practice of placing black children with white carers. More than a decade later, John Small speaks of the racism, the guilt and the fear which this challenge has sparked. In widening the debate, we hope to provide the opportunity to move away from this triad by giving priority to the needs of children of diverse ethnicities and the strengths of a range of carers. The second contribution, by Stephen Parvez Rashid, draws on a research study in identifying the strengths of black (African-Caribbean) carers, as demonstrated in their permanent substitute parenting of children of African, AfricanCaribbean and African-Caribbean/white heritage. The detailed evidence presented, albeit from a small number of families, shifts the debate from a focus on deficit, for example, vulnerability of black children, inadequacy of white carers, to a focus on strengths. While this small G u e s t e d it o ri a l

‘Race’ and Ethnicity in Care Proceedings: Implications from a National Survey of Cases Containing Expert Evidence

Abstract: Background The study reported below is based on a secondary analysis of an existing survey (Brophy, Wale and Bates, 1999) which explored the use of experts in ‘care and related proceedings’ following the Children Act 1989. The new study was reported in December 1999 and, along with a parallel study addressing issues of cross-cultural assessments, it forms the beginning of attempts to explore issues of ‘race’, ethnicity, culture, religion and linguistic needs of children in public law cases. Both these new studies are funded by the Nuffield Foundation.