Beyond the Adoption Order

For a minority of families, the adoption journey can be fraught with difficulty and, in some cases, results in the child moving out of their adoptive home prematurely. For many years, the rate of adoption disruption has been subject to speculation. Finally, this ground-breaking research provides authoritative information on how many adoptions disrupt, the factors influencing disruption, and compares the stability of adoption orders with special guardianship and residence orders.

The book reveals adoptive families' struggles to understand their child's behaviour and access the right kinds of support, as well as the response of agencies. Adopters and young people provide graphic accounts of what happens in adoptive families when 'challenging' behaviour becomes unmanageable, identifying the severe consequences of breakdown for all concerned. They set out how better quality support could make a difference and detail the kinds of services they would like to see. Adoption managers also give their views on support that should be offered.

With detailed recommendations for changes to policy and practice to reduce disruption, this study – the first carried out nationally on adoption disruptions – is essential reading. This book is for all those involved in preparing, placing and supporting adopted children and in helping them and their families to thrive.

Read our Editor’s Exclusive

Every month we release a free chapter from one of our bestselling publications. For October, we are sharing the first chapter from ‘Beyond the Adoption Order’. This chapter explores the background of the study.

Read our free chapter

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