Exploring and assessing motivations to adopt

What motivates applicants is an important part of assessment, as it can be key to future adoption success. But do social workers understand how fertility treatment can affect applicants? Are workers and panel members aware of possible unconscious bias when assessing LGBTQ+ or single applicants? What should workers consider when assessing those wanting to adopt for environmental or religious reasons? 

This practice guide will help social workers better understand and assess motivation, by examining four groups: couples who have experienced fertility issues, LGBTQ+ applicants, single applicants, and those for whom adoption is their first choice. It will empower workers to explore various motivations, how they may affect adoption success or need for support, and how to discuss often sensitive subjects with applicants – with an eye to providing thoughtful and analytical assessment. It also explores the key importance of applicants’ expectations of parenthood and how these can affect their adoption journey. 

Who is this book for? 

This guide provides vital practice advice for all social workers, social work managers and panel members who may be involved with assessing and/or considering applicants to adopt.

What you will find in this book 

The guide covers: 

• What different fertility treatments entail, and what this “rollercoaster of emotion” may mean for applicants’ readiness to adopt 
• How loss, grief, prejudice and social expectations may affect many applicants 
• Being aware of and interrogating unconscious bias around motivation in LGBTQ+ adopters, and ensuring assessment is suited to their experiences 
• How to assess what single applicants bring to adoption, and balance this with any support needs 
• Various reasons for elective adoption – including religious, social and environmental causes – and how to unpick which areas require more exploration 
• Assessing the complex family dynamic for adopters who already have children, and the benefits and challenges for this group 
• How unrealistic expectations around parenthood can undermine future adoption stability, and how to explore and interrogate this with applicants 
• How assessors’ and panel members’ personal values and perspectives on parenthood and family can affect their judgement in this area 

Case studies and the experiences of social workers and adopters underpin the guide. The strengths and risk-based approach will help assessors to explore and make balanced judgements on what applicants bring to adoption. Tools to help with assessment are included. 

Author

Laura Payne has worked in and managed several adoption agencies (both local authority and voluntary adoption agencies), and has over 30 years of experience. She is now a trainer and consultant, with a particular interest in assessment, panels, post-adoption support and the longer-term needs of adoptive families. 

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