British Journal of Social Work, 51(7), 2021, pp.2478-2499.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
This study examined how adoptive families manage and respond to contact with children’s birth siblings living elsewhere within a nationally representative sample of 96 families who adopted a child between 01 July 2014 and 31 July 2015. This study harnessed prospective, longitudinal data to determine the extent to which plans for contact between adopted children and birth siblings living elsewhere materialised over time. This study presents adoptive parents’ views and experiences of the contact over four years, together with an analysis of factors that were thought to have prevented, hindered and/or enabled contact between adopted children and their birth siblings. The information shared by the adoptive families illustrates the challenges they faced in promoting sibling contact; in weighing up the complexities associated with managing contact in the short term against the anticipated benefit for their child in the longer term; of balancing a commitment to sibling contact with the psychological needs of their child; and of organising contact within the context of interactions with other families involved and social work professionals. On the basis of these findings, the researchers make recommendations pertaining to the management of both letterbox and face-to-face contact and life story work, and underscore the importance of investing in sibling relationships.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This study examined how adoptive families manage and respond to contact with children’s birth siblings living elsewhere within a nationally representative sample of 96 families who adopted a child between 01 July 2014 and 31 July 2015. This study harnessed prospective, longitudinal data to determine the extent to which plans for contact between adopted children and birth siblings living elsewhere materialised over time. This study presents adoptive parents’ views and experiences of the contact over four years, together with an analysis of factors that were thought to have prevented, hindered and/or enabled contact between adopted children and their birth siblings. The information shared by the adoptive families illustrates the challenges they faced in promoting sibling contact; in weighing up the complexities associated with managing contact in the short term against the anticipated benefit for their child in the longer term; of balancing a commitment to sibling contact with the psychological needs of their child; and of organising contact within the context of interactions with other families involved and social work professionals. On the basis of these findings, the researchers make recommendations pertaining to the management of both letterbox and face-to-face contact and life story work, and underscore the importance of investing in sibling relationships.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
siblings, adoption, contact, family relations, adopted children, life story work, longitudinal studies;
This article reports on findings from the Wales Adoption Study which used a sequential, mixed-method design to explore the early support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families. Ninety-six adoptive parents completed a questionnaire four months post-placement and a sub-sample of 40 parents was interviewed in-depth five months thereafter. The main support needs of the families fell within five key domains: promoting children's health and development; strengthening family relationships; fostering children's identity; managing contact with birth parents and significant others; and financial and legal assistance. While the age and developmental stage of the child placed for adoption often influenced the nature of the support required across the various domains, the need for some
(Publisher abstract)
This article reports on findings from the Wales Adoption Study which used a sequential, mixed-method design to explore the early support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families. Ninety-six adoptive parents completed a questionnaire four months post-placement and a sub-sample of 40 parents was interviewed in-depth five months thereafter. The main support needs of the families fell within five key domains: promoting children's health and development; strengthening family relationships; fostering children's identity; managing contact with birth parents and significant others; and financial and legal assistance. While the age and developmental stage of the child placed for adoption often influenced the nature of the support required across the various domains, the need for some form of support in every family was universal. Most, however, were not facing insurmountable difficulties. Arguably, many of the support needs identified could have been anticipated as they illustrate the complexities of ‘normal’ adoptive family life. The implications for social work practice are discussed.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
adoption, family support, adoptive parents, user views, qualitative research, needs;
MEAKINGS Sarah, COFFEY Amanda, SHELTON Katherine H.
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Social Work, 47(6), 2017, pp.237-246.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
For better or worse, the significance of the sibling relationship throughout the life course is widely acknowledged. This paper explores the ways in which sibling relationships, in their various forms, are affected by adoption. The case-file records of 374 children recently placed for adoption in Wales were reviewed. Questionnaires were completed by ninety-six adoptive parents, with whom a sample of these children were placed, and a sub-sample of forty adoptive parents were interviewed. Most children placed for adoption together with a sibling carried a shared history of maltreatment. Many had complex, often conflictual relationships. Nevertheless, birth siblings in the adoptive home also provided support and comfort for children. New sibling relationships, created by placing children into families with existing children, carried their own set of advantages and complications. Some children placed apart from birth siblings had plans for contact that had not yet materialised. Whilst adoptive parents were often determined to help strengthen sibling bonds created and affected by adoption, this commitment was not always championed through social work intervention. The implications for social work practice in adoption are considered and a family systems framework is proposed as a way of helping to understand sibling dynamics in adoptive families.
(Publisher abstract)
For better or worse, the significance of the sibling relationship throughout the life course is widely acknowledged. This paper explores the ways in which sibling relationships, in their various forms, are affected by adoption. The case-file records of 374 children recently placed for adoption in Wales were reviewed. Questionnaires were completed by ninety-six adoptive parents, with whom a sample of these children were placed, and a sub-sample of forty adoptive parents were interviewed. Most children placed for adoption together with a sibling carried a shared history of maltreatment. Many had complex, often conflictual relationships. Nevertheless, birth siblings in the adoptive home also provided support and comfort for children. New sibling relationships, created by placing children into families with existing children, carried their own set of advantages and complications. Some children placed apart from birth siblings had plans for contact that had not yet materialised. Whilst adoptive parents were often determined to help strengthen sibling bonds created and affected by adoption, this commitment was not always championed through social work intervention. The implications for social work practice in adoption are considered and a family systems framework is proposed as a way of helping to understand sibling dynamics in adoptive families.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
adoption, siblings, family relations, needs, relationships, adopted children;
British Journal of Social Work, 46(5), 2016, pp.1224-1240.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
... findings from two recent adoption studies of previously looked after children in England and Wales. The studies exposed the prevalence of APV in the lives of families who had experienced an adoption disruption and those who were finding parenting very challenging. Two main APV patterns emerged: early onset (pre-puberty) that escalated during adolescence, and late onset that surfaced during puberty
(Publisher abstract)
Adolescent-to-parent violence (APV) has received little attention in the social work literature, although it is known to be a factor in families whose children are at risk of entry to care. The behaviour patterns that characterise APV include coercive control, domination and intimidation. Crucially, parental behaviours are compromised by fear of violence. This article discusses the unexpected findings from two recent adoption studies of previously looked after children in England and Wales. The studies exposed the prevalence of APV in the lives of families who had experienced an adoption disruption and those who were finding parenting very challenging. Two main APV patterns emerged: early onset (pre-puberty) that escalated during adolescence, and late onset that surfaced during puberty and rapidly escalated. The stigma and shame associated with APV delayed help seeking. The response from services was often to blame the adoptive parents and to instigate child protection procedures. There is an urgent need for a greater professional recognition of APV and for interventions to be evaluated with children who have been maltreated and showing symptoms of trauma.
(Publisher abstract)
DOUGHTY Julie, MEAKINGS Sarah, SHELTON Katherine H.
Journal article citation:
Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 39(4), 2017, pp.473-490.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
The early stages of adoptive placements are important in achieving successful long-term outcomes for adopted children and their families. This paper reports on findings from the Wales Adoption Study, in which adoptive parents shared their views and experiences of the legal and administrative processes in obtaining an adoption order. Parents described a range of difficulties that added
(Publisher abstract)
The early stages of adoptive placements are important in achieving successful long-term outcomes for adopted children and their families. This paper reports on findings from the Wales Adoption Study, in which adoptive parents shared their views and experiences of the legal and administrative processes in obtaining an adoption order. Parents described a range of difficulties that added to anxieties and delays. These arose mainly through poor communication about the steps in the legal process and avoidable administrative errors or oversights. Some parents also experienced lack of information and support regarding agreed contact arrangements and work with their child to help them make sense of their adoptive status.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
adoption, legal proceedings, placement, adoptive parents, service users, user views, communication, contracts, law courts, family law;
Our recent studies of adoptive family life, in circumstances where parenting was very challenging or where the adoption had disrupted, revealed new and interesting findings (Selwyn and Meakings, 2015; Selwyn, Meakings and Wijedasa, 2015). One of the most fascinating and unexpected discoveries was the role of smell in adoptive parents’ and children’s behaviours. For some parents, the child’s odour
(Publisher abstract)
Our recent studies of adoptive family life, in circumstances where parenting was very challenging or where the adoption had disrupted, revealed new and interesting findings (Selwyn and Meakings, 2015; Selwyn, Meakings and Wijedasa, 2015). One of the most fascinating and unexpected discoveries was the role of smell in adoptive parents’ and children’s behaviours. For some parents, the child’s odour was a barrier to intimacy. Parents were also aware of how specific smells seemed to trigger children’s early memories and trauma. In this article, the authors review briefly the literature on odour and consider the implications for social work practice.
(Publisher abstract)
Great Britain. Department for Education, University of Bristol. Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies
Publication year:
2014
Pagination:
321
Place of publication:
London
... interviews with adoptive parents, young people and adoption managers. The research also look at the well-being of children and parents, behaviours that challenged adoptive families, and communication and cohesion within the adoptive family. Results found that 565 placements broke down after the adoption order was made, with disruption rates being lower than expected.. Important factors predicting adoption disruption were the child's age at time of disruption, older age at placement, and a longer wait between placement and securing the Adoption Order. Teenagers' adoptions were 10 times more likely to break down than children under the age of four. Ethnicity made no difference to adoption disruption. The report sets out recommendations for policy, practice and future research. The study was funded
(Original abstract)
This research aimed to calculate the national disruption rate in England and report on the experience of those involved (adopters, children and social workers) when adoptions disrupt or are in difficulty. Research methods included an analysis of Department of Education supplied data for 37,335 children adopted between April 2000 and March 2011, a survey of adoptive parents, and follow up interviews with adoptive parents, young people and adoption managers. The research also look at the well-being of children and parents, behaviours that challenged adoptive families, and communication and cohesion within the adoptive family. Results found that 565 placements broke down after the adoption order was made, with disruption rates being lower than expected.. Important factors predicting adoption disruption were the child's age at time of disruption, older age at placement, and a longer wait between placement and securing the Adoption Order. Teenagers' adoptions were 10 times more likely to break down than children under the age of four. Ethnicity made no difference to adoption disruption. The report sets out recommendations for policy, practice and future research. The study was funded by the Department of Education.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
adoption, placement disruption, family relations, adoptive parents, adopted children, social workers, local authorities, voluntary sector, adoption agencies, special guardianship, wellbeing, interviewing, user views;