Helping birth families

This research study explores and evaluates the growing area of adoption support of birth families where a child has been adopted. It is based on data collected from eight agencies providing independent support services to birth relatives, and from interviews with 73 birth relatives with recent experience of losing a child to adoption. The study explores take-up rates of support, birth relatives’ views on the adoption process and support services, and the costs of support services, along with the impact of such services on birth families’ psychological well-being and ability to cope with the adoption. Implications for practice are considered, with advice to agencies about how to provide a more effective service.

Who is this book for?

All social workers, managers and policy makers concerned with support services for birth families where a child has been adopted.

What you will find in this book

This study explores:

• The policy context surrounding support for birth families
• Referral and take-up of services by birth relatives
• Birth relatives’ experiences of compulsory adoption
• Their use of support services and evaluations of using them
• The characteristics of birth relatives who did not use a support service
• The mental health of birth relatives and their ability to cope with adoption, both with and without support services
• The costs of providing support services and implications for the agencies

Authors

Elsbeth Neil is a Senior Lecturer in social work at the University of East Anglia. She has undertaken research and published widely on a range of areas in this field, including post-adoption contact.

Jeanette Cossar is a Lecturer in social work at the University of East Anglia, with research interests including children’s views of the child protection system and the experiences of gay and lesbian young people in care.

Paula Lorgelly works at the Centre for Health Economics at Monash University, Melbourne, following prior posts in Nottingham, Glasgow, and at the University of East Anglia. Her research interests include the methodological issues of economic evaluations.

Julie Young is a Senior Research Associate at the University of East Anglia, with research interests including post-adoption contact.

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