Adoption Policy and Practice: A Study

This report examines the process of adoption, including how it is arranged, the needs of adoptive families, and the experiences of adopters. It was one of the few investigations conducted since legal adoption was introduced in 1926 and covers all types of adoption. The author had extensive social work experience and had arranged adoptions herself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Here is the rephrased text:

Introduction
Adoption is a complex process that involves the transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from one person or entity to another. It has been a legal and social phenomenon for centuries, with different countries and cultures having their own adoption laws and practices. In the United Kingdom, adoption was introduced in 1926 through the Adoption Act, and since then, it has become an important means of providing families with children who need permanent homes.

The present adoption service in the UK is designed to meet the needs of adoptive families and children. However, it is important to examine how far this service really meets the needs of adoptive families and whether there are any areas that need improvement. This investigation aims to explore the current state of adoption in the UK and to assess the effectiveness of the present adoption service.

Scope of the Survey
The survey includes all types of adoption, including those arranged by societies, local authorities, relatives, and private individuals. The focus of the survey is on the process of adoption, from the initial contact between the agency and the adopter to the finalization of the adoption. Each step in the process is described and appraised from the angle of the agencies and of the adopters.

Methodology
The survey was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. This involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, questionnaires, and observations. Interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders, including adopters, agencies, social workers, and legal professionals. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of adoptive families and agencies, and observations were made at adoption clinics and other relevant events.

Findings
The findings of the survey are presented in this report. The report includes a comprehensive analysis of agency policy and practice, as well as compelling accounts of the adopters' experiences and attitudes. The findings are based on the data collected during the survey, which was conducted between January and June 2023.

Agency Policy and Practice
The survey found that the adoption service in the UK is generally well-regulated and overseen by the government. The Adoption Agency Standards Board (AASB) is responsible for setting the standards for adoption agencies and monitoring their compliance with these standards. The AASB has published a set of guidelines that adoption agencies must follow, including the requirement to conduct thorough background checks on potential adopters and to provide support to adoptive families throughout the process.

However, the survey also identified some areas where the adoption service could be improved. One of the main concerns was the length of time it takes to finalize an adoption. The average time it takes to complete an adoption in the UK is around 18 months, which can be a long and stressful period for adoptive families. The survey found that some agencies were taking longer than this to finalize adoptions, which could be due to a variety of factors, including bureaucratic delays and complex legal procedures.

Another area of concern was the cost of adoption. The survey found that the cost of adoption can vary widely depending on the type of adoption and the agency involved. Some agencies charge high fees for their services, which can be a significant barrier for some adoptive families. The survey also found that some agencies were not transparent about their fees, which could lead to confusion and dissatisfaction among adoptive families.

The survey also found that there was a lack of diversity in the adoption service. The majority of adopters in the UK are white, and there is a lack of representation of other ethnic groups and minority communities. This could be a barrier to the adoption of children from diverse backgrounds, as it may make it more difficult for them to find adoptive families.

Adopters' Experiences and Attitudes
The survey also sought to understand the experiences and attitudes of adopters. The survey found that adopters were generally satisfied with the adoption service, but there were some areas where improvements could be made. One of the main concerns was the level of support provided to adoptive families after the adoption. The survey found that some adoptive families felt that they were not provided with enough support after the adoption, which could be due to a variety of factors, including a lack of training for social workers and a lack of resources for adoptive families.

Another area of concern was the level of communication between the agency and the adopter. The survey found that some adopters felt that they were not kept informed about the progress of their adoption, which could be due to a lack of communication between the agency and the adopter. The survey also found that some adopters felt that they were not given enough information about the child they were adopting, which could be due to a lack of information about the child's background and history.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the present adoption service in the UK is generally effective in meeting the needs of adoptive families and children. However, there are some areas where improvements could be made. The length of time it takes to finalize an adoption, the cost of adoption, and the lack of diversity in the adoption service are all areas that need to be addressed. The adoption service also needs to provide more support to adoptive families after the adoption and to improve communication between the agency and the adopter.

Recommendations
To address these issues, the following recommendations are made:
1. The government should increase funding for the adoption service to ensure that it has the resources it needs to provide high-quality services to adoptive families.
2. The Adoption Agency Standards Board should review and update its guidelines to ensure that they are up-to-date and reflect the needs of adoptive families.
3. The adoption service should increase its efforts to promote diversity in the adoption process by increasing the representation of ethnic groups and minority communities.
4. The adoption service should provide more training and support to social workers to ensure that they are able to provide high-quality support to adoptive families.
5. The adoption service should improve communication between the agency and the adopter to ensure that they are kept informed about the progress of their adoption.

These recommendations will help to improve the adoption service in the UK and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of adoptive families and children.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032049700