bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solution-Focused Approaches to Caring for Children Whose Behaviour is Sexually Harmful
Authors: Milner Judith
Published: March 2013

Judith Milner introduces the work of Barnardo's The Junction with children whose sexualised behaviour threatens their foster placement stability. A safety building approach to working with children, their carers and teachers is described, using examples of work carried out with children taken into care after discovery that they have been both sexually abused and abusive in their birth families.
Fostering Attachments in Looked after Children: Further Insight into the Group-Based Programme for Foster Carers
Authors: Laybourne Gemma , Andersen Jill , Sands John
Published: March 2013

The research reported here by Gemma Laybourne, Jill Andersen and John Sands offers further insight into an 18-session training programme for foster carers based on the attachment needs of foster children. The programme was originally developed by clinical psychologist Kim Golding, and evaluated by Golding and Picken in 2004. A revised version was later made available for purchase under the title Fostering Attachments in Young People who are Looked After and Adopted (Golding, 2006). Further to the initial evaluation, the present study also suggests positive results from evaluating this attachment-focused programme, especially in terms of the information obtained via continuous verbal feedback from carers throughout the training, from some of the objective measures employed and from semi-structured interviews conducted with carers after programme completion. It appears that this form of group work may be beneficial to carers, helping them to develop their knowledge and understanding of the needs of children with attachment difficulties and reducing some of the stress they experience when caring for their foster children. Of particular interest to the reader may be the reported impact of the training on the relationship between some of the foster carers and their spouse/partner (not included in the training). The implications of this issue and other evaluation-related issues are discussed.
A Modified Strange Situation Procedure for Use in Assessing Sibling Relationships and their Attachment to Carers
Authors: Farnfield Steve
Published: March 2013

Steve Farnfield describes a modification of the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), commonly used in the assessment of infant and pre-school children's attachment, for use in the assessment of sibling relationships. The modified SSP was developed for use in cases where social workers had to decide whether or not to split up groups of siblings for placement in adoptive or long-term foster homes. However, it can also be applied as an aid to understanding sibling interactions in other contexts as well as the attachment of siblings to one another and to birth or substitute parents. Following some practical and theoretical comments, an account of the procedure is given together with case examples.
It's a Piece of Cake?: An evaluation of an Adopter Training Programme
Authors: Selwyn Julie , del Tufo Sarah , Frazer Lesley
Published: March 2013

Julie Selwyn, Sarah del Tufo and Lesley Frazer report on an evaluation of the It's a Piece of Cake? training programme provided by Adoption UK. The programme, unusually, is delivered by professional trainers who are themselves adopters. The immediate impact of the training was an increase in adopters' confidence and a wider repertoire of skills in managing difficult behaviour. The effects of the programme seemed to have continued for some time for adopters who were not parenting children with multiple and overlapping difficulties. For them Cake was rarely enough. The group setting for the learning — enabling parents to discuss difficult issues with other adopters — was viewed as very important. Many parents had made lasting friendships that were a continuing source of support.
Adopted Children and Their Grandparents: Views from three Generations
Authors: Pitcher David
Published: March 2013

David Pitcher explores how the parents of adopters respond to the role of adoptive grandparent and describes adoptive family life from the perspective of three generations. The research involved both a quantitative study (n = 236) and a qualitative study of six white British families, in which grandparents, parents and children were interviewed. The study concludes that grandparents are significant, not primarily for practical support but in their symbolic function. It is proposed that the concept of grandparents being ‘fun’ that has developed in contemporary British culture enables them to represent approval and acceptance. For parents, they are significant as ‘approving witnesses’ to this new family. The account concludes by suggesting how the three-generational perspective described can contribute to the assessment and support of adoptive families. Further studies could test whether this pattern can be seen in other cultural contexts or family types.
Who's in Our Family?: An Application of the Theory of Family Boundary Ambiguity to the Experiences of Former Foster Carers
Authors: Thomson Lorraine , McArthur Morag
Published: March 2013

Meeting the increasing demand for foster care homes is well recognised internationally and in Australia as a continual challenge. Understanding the needs of foster carers and supporting them to undertake this important work is a key element of meeting this demand. Lorraine Thomson and Morag McArthur report on the re-analysis of data from a small study of former foster carers who ceased fostering between 2004 and 2007 in the Australian Capital Territory. Interviews with former carers about their experiences as foster carers revealed themes of loss and uncertainty that alerted researchers to the possibility that the theory of family boundary ambiguity and ambiguous loss may be useful in understanding foster caring experiences. It is suggested that these concepts warrant further exploration and research in the area of foster care. With sensitive application, they may assist foster families, former foster carers, foster care workers and policy makers to understand more fully and respond to some of the challenging experiences of foster caring.
Adopters' Experiences of Preparation to Parent Children with Serious Difficulties
Authors: Rushton Alan , Monck Elizabeth
Published: March 2013

A selected group of adopters coping with very troubled children recently placed from care was asked about their satisfactions and dissatisfactions with the preparation for parenting that had been provided. Although some aspects were well received, most thought that the preparation had not been helpful in developing the parenting skills for managing difficult behaviour. It was notable that the child's level of disturbance still came as a surprise to many. The study, reported here by Alan Rushton and Elizabeth Monck, throws up the question of how to deliver a service that meets the need for both general preparation to adopt and preparation to parent the specific child eventually placed. Fresh consideration needs to be given to the best means, and timing, of parenting preparation and support.
Delivering a Therapeutic Wraparound Service for Troubled Adolescents in Care
Authors: Street Eddy , Hill Jael , Welham Jennie
Published: March 2013

Eddy Street, Jael Hill and Jennie Welham outline the features of MIST (Multi-disciplinary Intervention Service — Torfaen), a therapeutic wraparound service for looked after adolescents who are very troubled and troubling to others. They describe the general features and philosophy of the project and identify its principal processes: therapeutic keyworking, foster care support and forming a team around the young person. The obstacles that can affect the successful implementation of such a project are enumerated and an ethical issue associated with attachment-based projects is discussed.
What Did They Think?: An Evaluation of the Satisfaction and Perceived Helpfulness of a Training Programme Developed as an Indirect Intervention for Foster Carers
Authors: Robson Sharon , Briant Natalie
Published: March 2013

Children who are looked after are at greater risk of developmental, mental or physical health problems. Research suggests that this population experiences greater difficulties accessing appropriate services. Sharon Robson and Natalie Briant evaluate a training programme that was developed as a multi-agency intervention for foster carers. It aimed to cover a wide range of topics and increase carers' knowledge and skills in order to improve the quality of care provided for young people who are looked after and adopted. A content analysis of participants' responses was undertaken and themes arising from this explored. It was found that their views were generally positive but that the experience of evaluating the training raised a number of issues for the organisers about this type of intervention.
Disability: Still Taboo in Family Placement?
Authors: Cousins Jennifer
Published: March 2013

This article is based on the second annual BAAF lecture, delivered by Jennifer Cousins to the organisation's AGM on 18 November 2008. The article explores the place of disabled children in the context of adoption and foster care. The starting point for this exploration is the belief that when professionals talk about children, the picture is one of a generic, not-disabled child; that disabled children have an untouchable status which profoundly affects their life chances; that they are at the margins of our consciousness; and that, in some measure, disability is still taboo in family placement. The influences on these perspectives are discussed, starting with a wide-ranging sweep through different cultures and historical periods before looking at how the continued marginalisation of disabled people is affecting family-finding services for children in the UK. The principal argument is that disabled children are not a separate group, but are the responsibility of everyone engaged in working on behalf of young people. The taboo must be lifted.
Northern Ireland
Authors: O'Halloran Kerry
Published: March 2013

The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, Article 18: freeing with paternal but without maternal consent; importance of opportunities for parental rehabilitation; and ‘good enough parenting’
‘By Listening Hard’: Developing a Service-User Feedback System for Adopted and Fostered Children in Receipt of Mental Health Services
Authors: Davies Julie , Wright John , Drake Susan , Bunting Jennifer
Published: March 2013

Adopted and looked after children are often excluded from service-user involvement. The purpose of the study discussed here by Julie Davies, John Wright, Susan Drake and Jennifer Bunting was, therefore, to develop methodologies to facilitate the inclusion of junior-school-aged children to reflect on their experience of participating in psychological therapy. Exclusively recruiting this group enabled us to develop age-specific techniques. The clinical implications for therapeutic practice and an effective methodology to ascertain children's perceptions of therapy are discussed. The overarching message is that children with disrupted attachments can be engaged in reflective discussions about mental health services when a methodology is developed specifically for them. This allows us to view services ‘through the eyes’ of children (Department of Health, 2004a).
The Development of Foster Family Care in Post-Communist Countries: The Experience of Lithuania
Authors: Snieškienė Dalija
Published: March 2013

Dalija Snieškienė charts the development of foster family care in Lithuania since 1945. Using a framework comprising the concepts of identity, resources and relationships, she analyses services in three historical periods: the Communist system 1945–91; the early years of independence 1991–2004; and the status of Lithuania as a democratic EU state for the past five years. The factors affecting the nature, causes and consequences of reform are explored.
Life Story Work: Reflections on the Experience by Looked after Young People
Authors: Willis Rachel , Holland Sally
Published: March 2013

Rachel Willis and Sally Holland report on a qualitative study of young people's experiences of life story work. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 12 young people aged 11–18 and looked after by one local authority in South Wales. They had experienced a wide range of styles and content of life story work. The young people reflected on both the emotional aspects of the work and the new information they had gained about their own histories. Life story work invoked a range of emotions among participants, including tedium, pleasure, anger and sadness. It also appeared to have a function in helping young people to work out aspects of their identity. All were positive about the experience, although a small number had found the process tedious at times or intrusive to their everyday lives. Most envisaged a future role for the life story books in their lives, expecting to return to the work for their own reflection or to show it to others. The article concludes that both the process of life story work and the material record produced are important to looked after young people. The paucity of empirical studies in this area is noted and suggestions for future research are made.
Intercountry Adoption in Europe 1998–2008: Patterns, Trends and Issues
Authors: Selman Peter
Published: March 2013

Peter Selman examines the recent history of intercountry adoption in Europe in the context of the enlarged EU, which contains both receiving and sending countries. The article provides a detailed analysis of the movement of children for adoption between European countries and examines the impact of intercountry adoption on the well-being of children in Europe and current debates in the European Parliament on the future of intercountry adoption in Europe.
An Examination of the Factors That Facilitate and Hinder the Care Planning Process for Very Young Children in Scotland
Authors: Davidson Linda , McKenzie Karen
Published: March 2013

The study reported here by Linda Davidson and Karen McKenzie examined the care planning process for very young children in Scotland using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were gathered from existing case files on 18 looked after children aged 0–2 years. A qualitative approach was used to explore the views of six randomly selected social workers about current practice in relation to care planning. The social workers identified a number of factors which both facilitated and hindered the care planning process and in a number of cases the same factor was identified as doing both. The most commonly identified factor was waiting for an expert assessment. This could cause serious delays but once completed, was often the catalyst for change. The participants identified a further number of factors which they felt could improve the process, including additional training. Their responses are discussed in the context of recent legislative changes in Scotland.
Looked after Children: Can Existing Services Ever Succeed?
Authors: Little Michael
Published: March 2013

Should the state continue to provide substitute care? With a new UK government likely to implement a number of changes in social care provision, Michael Little challenges the effectiveness of current services provided by the state for looked after children.
Looked after Children: Can Existing Services Ever Succeed?: A Different View
Authors: Sinclair Ian
Published: March 2013

In a reply to the preceding article, Ian Sinclair examines the four main arguments put forward in Michael Little's challenge to current social care provision: the care system is not ethical, it is out of date and arbitrary, and too little is known about it. Furthermore, there is an alternative.
‘Everything was Strange and Different’: Young Adults' Recollections of the Transition into Foster Care
Authors: Reimer Daniela
Published: March 2013

When children enter a foster family they face a new family culture. At the University of Siegen, Germany, Daniela Reimer and her colleagues analysed biographies of young adults who had spent some of their lives in foster care. Their aim was to explore how children overcome these cultural changes and the approaches that help them cope. This article highlights the manifestations of cultural tensions which, although seemingly trivial to adults, are extremely important for children. It is suggested that this perspective complements other significant factors associated with the success of foster placements.
Who Goes Where?: Young Children's Pathways through Care in Northern Ireland
Authors: McSherry Dominic , Weatherall Kerrylee , Larkin Emma , Malet Montse Fargas , Kelly Greg
Published: March 2013

This is one of a series of articles reporting on the large-scale Northern Ireland care pathways and outcomes study (McSherry et al, 2008). The study has been examining a population of young children (n = 374) who were in care under five years of age in Northern Ireland and followed up across a four-year period (2000–2004). It has mapped these young children's care careers and explored factors relating to five care pathways that these children progressed along: towards adoption, long-term non-relative foster care, long-term relative foster care, residence order and return to birth parent/s. The authors, Dominic McSherry, Kerrylee Weatherall, Emma Larkin, Montse Fargas Malet and Greg Kelly, examine the children's care pathway patterns from 2000 to 2004 and identify the background factors that have influenced their specific care pathway. These background factors relate to the age of child, length of time in care, the child's health, the child's behaviour and regional variation. The findings indicate that although the care pathway patterns were to some extent similar to those found in England and Wales, there were differences peculiar to the Northern Ireland context.
The Marte Meo Method as a Means of Supporting New Adoptive Parents
Authors: Osterman Gunnel , Möller Anders , Wirtberg Ingegerd
Published: March 2013

The study discussed here by Gunnel Osterman, Anders Möller and Ingegerd Wirtberg aimed to find out if any observable themes or patterns recur when using the Marte Meo (MM) method with adoptive parents, and if the parents feel that working with this method helps them to interact with their child. The study used qualitative methods and comprised two parts: use of the MM method with couples who had adopted their first child within the past two months, and semi-structured interviews with the parents. The study group consisted of seven parent couples who had adopted children aged 5–15 months from overseas.

The principle of the MM method is for the child's need to be approached at its own tempo and rhythm. It encourages and motivates the parents to adjust their interplay to the child's actual behaviour, leading to better adjustment to the child's tempo and rhythm. This is important because initial video filming reveals that most parents adopt a tempo that is too fast for their child. During this initial period, the MM method may be one way of working to meet adoptive parents' need for advice and support in their efforts to be sensitive to the developmental needs of their child.
Change and Continuity: 1980–2010
Authors: Parker Roy
Published: March 2013

Roy Parker considers key developments in services for children separated from their birth families in England and Wales over the last 30 years.
The Changing Context of Child and Family Social Work
Authors: Weyts Arabella , Randall John
Published: March 2013

Child and family social work has changed considerably over the past 60 years. Arabella Weyts and John Randall chart these developments in England since the radical legislation of 1948 and identify enduring tensions that arise from role conflicts, shared responsibilities and balancing specialist and generalist work, each of which presents challenges for overarching organisations such as BAAF.
Fostering and Adoption in Scotland: 1980–2010
Authors: Maclean Kirstie , Hudson Barbara
Published: March 2013

Kirstie Maclean and Barbara Hudson identify differences in context, policy and practice, as well as the greater emphasis on children's rights and use of residential care, that distinguish Scotland from its neighbours ‘down south’. Similarities and future aspirations for looked after children are also discussed.
BAAF's Role in the Development of the Foster Care Service
Authors: Thoburn June , Schofield Gillian
Published: March 2013

June Thoburn and Gillian Schofield demonstrate how the development of the foster care service over the last 30 years reveals BAAF's varied points of engagement with policy and practice, which have increasingly helped to shape the foster care agenda.
Thinking on Developmental Psychology in Fostering and Adoption
Authors: Rushton Alan
Published: March 2013

Alan Rushton discusses thinking over the last 30 years in developmental psychology as it affects fostering and adoption. He charts significant progress in six areas and assesses BAAF's contribution to various aspects of this accumulating knowledge.
Assessment: Changes in Thinking and Practice
Authors: Adcock Margaret
Published: March 2013

Margaret Adcock discusses the considerable changes that have taken place in the nature, content and process of assessments since the 1960s and, in particular, over the past three decades.
The Law Relating to Adoption and Fostering in England and Wales: The Contribution of BAAF
Authors: White Richard
Published: March 2013

Richard White summarises BAAF's considerable influence on the development of child care law in England and Wales, from the Children Act 1975 and Adoption Act 1976 through to the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
Doctors and Nurses in Advance of Their Time: The BAAF Health Advisory Group
Authors: Mather Mary
Published: March 2013

Mary Mather celebrates BAAF's pioneering role in placing health care at the heart of social care practice with children separated from their birth parents. In particular, the contribution of the Health Group, for example re-evaluating assessment procedures, promoting training and education, and supporting designated doctors and nurses, is discussed.
Thirty Years of Listening to Children?
Authors: McLeod Alison
Published: March 2013

Alison McLeod looks back over the last 30 years to see how the theory, policy and practice of listening to children in the UK have developed.
Access to Information: Progress and Perils
Authors: Feast Julia
Published: March 2013

Julia Feast discusses BAAF's role in securing the right of adopted people to have access to information about their origins and how perceptions regarding this right have changed over time
Continuity of Parental Behavioural Ratings of Children Adopted from China and Parenting Competence, Confidence and Enjoyment
Authors: Bruder Mary Beth , Dunst Carl J , Mogro-Wilson Cristina , Tan Tony Xing
Published: March 2013

Mary Beth Bruder, Carl J Dunst, Cristina Mogro-Wilson and Tony Xing Tan used an analytic procedure called structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate the effects of adoption and post-adoption child behaviour measures on parents' self-judgements of their parenting competence, confidence and enjoyment. SEM is a statistical procedure for investigating complex relationships among multiple variables simultaneously. The study participants were 314 adults (mostly mothers) who had adopted a child from China. Parents' recall of their children's behaviour at the time of adoption was related to two outcomes: concerns about their children's development and post-adoption behavioural ratings of child functioning. The more positive the parents' ratings of their children's behaviour, the more positive they judged their parenting competence, confidence and enjoyment. Findings supported the main hypothesis that parents' judgements of their children's behaviour at and following adoption are both directly and indirectly related to their sense of parenting.
Paired Reading as a Literacy Intervention for Foster Children
Authors: Osborne Cara , Alfano Julia , Winn Tanya
Published: March 2013

The education of children in foster care has long been considered problematic. One contributing factor may be the lack of educational support from key adults in these children's lives. High turnover of school and home placements may preclude the presence of a consistent adult who is actively involved in a foster child's education. Moreover, research suggests that education is sometimes viewed as a low priority by carers in comparison with other aspects of a foster child's life. The aim of the study reported here by Cara Osborne, Julia Alfano and Tanya Winn was to address this issue by directly involving carers in supporting their child's literacy skills through the use of a ‘paired reading’ literacy intervention. Thirty-five carers and children took part in the project over a 16-week period. The results revealed an average improvement in reading age of 12 months during this time, suggesting that the programme offers a constructive way of enhancing foster children's literacy skills. Feedback from carers supported this view and suggested that the impact of the project may extend beyond the realm of literacy per se, resulting in improvements in confidence and motivation as well as reading ability.
The Material Side of Foster Care: Economic and Material Resources among Foster Carers and Foster Youth in Swedish Child Welfare
Authors: Wiklund Stefan , Sallnäs Marie
Published: March 2013

Outcome studies in foster care have tended to focus on children's development and long-term adjustment. The economic aspects of placements and their effect on children's immediate welfare have been little explored. Stefan Wiklund and Marie Sallnäs compare the economic circumstances of Swedish foster carers with adults in the wider population and contrast the situation of 125 older children in foster homes, teenagers in the community and a group in residential care. As few differences were found, except for the relative disadvantage of those in residential settings, it is concluded that there is no intrinsic reason why foster care should deprive children economically. Moreover, as the child's welfare while in care is important in its own right, the criteria used to assess the suitability of carers should include measures of available resources.
Social Work Students' Thoughts on Their (in)Ability to Empathise with a Birth Mother's Story: Pondering the Need for a Deeper Focus on Empathy
Authors: Gair Susan
Published: March 2013

Empathy is considered in the literature to be crucial to any successful therapeutic engagement. But how to teach, learn and ‘do’ empathy seems much less clear. Susan Gair discusses how, through the use of selected narratives in a classroom-based inquiry, second-year social work students at a regional Australian university were guided to define the concept of empathy and to reflect on their ability to empathise. Findings illuminated some students' compassionate empathy, while many others demonstrated conditional empathy or even an apparent lack of it with regard to certain life experiences, including those of past birth mothers. These serendipitous findings have implications for adoption practice and beyond.
‘In Time and in Tune’ — The Fostering Attachments Group: Capturing Sustained Change in Both Caregiver and Child
Authors: Gurney-Smith Ben , Granger Charlotte , Randle Anna , Fletcher Jenny
Published: March 2013

The Fostering Attachments Group (Golding, 2006) is a group intervention combining social learning theory and attachment theory to inform the parenting of looked after children who present a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Evaluations to date have consistently found high rates of satisfaction from participants and a greater understanding of the child's needs, but only limited impact on the child's behaviour. Identifying the mechanisms of change in these well-received groups, therefore, seems important. Ben Gurney-Smith, Charlotte Granger, Anna Randle and Jenny Fletcher report on a novel evaluation of this group using, for the first time, a mixed group of foster carers and adoptive parents, with measures repeated at pre-, post- and three- month follow-up, and consistent with both theoretical models. The group was rated highly for satisfaction and sustained improvements were found in the caregiver's understanding and the perceived difficulties of the child. Significant positive and sustained changes were found in specific behavioural difficulties named by the caregiver, the child's hyperactivity and in the caregiver's mind–mindedness when they perceived a break in the relationship with their child. The study supports the use of measures capturing change over time in both the child and caregiver, which are consistent with both theoretical approaches used within the group.
Taking the Next Step: Enquirers to National Adoption Week One Year on
Authors: Ward Emma
Published: March 2013

Thousands of people respond to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering's annual adoption recruitment campaign National Adoption Week (NAW), but little is known about what happens to enquirers after they receive the information pack. In this article, Emma Ward investigates the success of the campaign and whether the profile of enquirers adds insight into their likelihood of starting the adoption process and showing interest in older children. The findings of a survey completed by 493 enquirers to the 2003 campaign are presented. The study found that NAW is successful in generating applications and maintaining interest. The well-reported preference for younger children by prospective parents was confirmed, but enquirers also displayed a willingness to consider older children with complex needs. Enquirers motivated by infertility were more likely to start the adoption process while those with other motivations were more inclined to be (actively) interested in non-infant children. Respondents' expectations of the adoption process and the system for approving candidates were seen as significant barriers.
Challenging Behaviour in Looked after Young People, Feelings of Parental Self-Efficacy and Psychological Well-Being in Foster Carers
Authors: Morgan Kate , Baron Rachel
Published: March 2013

Previous research into the parenting task has demonstrated that behavioural difficulties in children are associated with poorer psychological well-being and less sensitive parenting on the part of birth parents. However, there has been little research examining whether this situation applies to foster carers. This study by Kate Morgan and Rachel Baron explores the relationship between looked after young people's behavioural difficulties and the stress, anxiety and depression experienced by their carers. In addition, parental self-efficacy is considered as a mediator between young people's challenging behaviour and foster carer well-being. Fifty-eight foster carers completed a series of quantitative self-report measures; subsequent hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that levels of challenging behaviour in the young people were significantly associated with increases in the stress, anxiety and depression experienced by their foster carers. Mediational analysis showed that parenting efficacy partially mediated these relationships, reducing the negative effect of challenging behaviour on carers' psychological well-being. The results are important in considering effective support for foster carers and promoting stability for looked after young people, and the clinical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
Adoptive Fathers' Experiences of Search and Reunion
Authors: Feast Julia , Kyle Fiona , Triseliotis John
Published: March 2013

Most research looking at the role of adopters in the adoption, search and reunion process has tended to focus on the experiences of either the adoptive mother or both adoptive parents as a unit. As a result, the role of the adoptive father has had a much lower profile in the literature and research available to practitioners and professionals. Julia Feast, Fiona Kyle and John Triseliotis seek to redress the balance by analysing data from a previous study by Triseliotis et al (2005) from adoptive fathers' point of view. That study examined the experiences of a large cohort of adoptive parents whose son or daughter had searched or been sought. Most adoptive parents expressed overall satisfaction with the outcome of contact, but there were inevitable strains. By exploring whether or not the anxieties, stress levels and experiences of adoptive fathers differ significantly from those of adoptive mothers, we hope to provide a greater understanding of how adoptive fathers manage the search and reunion process.
The International Legal Context Governing Intercountry Adoptions by Gay Men and Lesbians
Authors: Dambach Mia
Published: March 2013

International law provides a clear structure for countries of origin to define the eligibility criteria for foreign prospective adoptive parents; it is part of their sovereign prerogative (section 8.2, Hague Conference on Private International Law, 2008). Mia Dambach examines how this is reflected in national legislative frameworks as of 2010, with respect to adoptions by gay men and lesbians by providing a comparative review of ‘countries of origin’ by region. Following this overview, she discusses the practical consequences, which include the reality that despite having the ‘legal possibility’ to become adopters in at least 20 receiving countries, gay men and lesbians face enormous difficulties in realising their desires. This is because only two countries of origin expressly legalise this possibility via legislation and a handful of others by approving individual cases. This situation illustrates the fact that occidental views are not always shared by countries of origin.
A Suitable Case?: Implementing Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care in an English Local Authority
Authors: Kirton Derek , Thomas Cliff
Published: March 2013

This article by Derek Kirton and Cliff Thomas draws from a local evaluation of a multidimensional treatment foster care (MTFC) programme in England, focusing particularly on issues of implementation. These include experiences of working with the Oregon Social Learning model on which MTFC is based, its theory, philosophy and practices. The article also considers the translation of this model into a UK context and the associated questions of adaptation and fidelity. The challenges of multidisciplinary teamwork and interagency collaboration within MTFC are explored, along with the latter's place within wider child welfare provision. Particular challenges highlighted are those of transitions into and from MTFC and the role of children's social workers. Albeit from a small-scale study and with inevitable variation in outcomes, it was found that MTFC achieved significant gains for a number of young people with complex needs and often troubled histories. This, in turn, raises questions about how far its theory and practice could or should be extended within foster care provision.
Making up Lost Ground: Challenges in Supporting the Educational Attainment of Looked after Children beyond Key Stage 4
Authors: Driscoll Jennifer
Published: March 2013

Looked after children continue to perform poorly at school compared to their peers and care leavers are at increased risk of unemployment and poverty. Although there is a growing body of research on their education and recent studies have identified the factors associated with successful educational outcomes, less attention has been paid to whether, and if so how, the majority of children finishing Key Stage 41 with disappointing qualifications may be supported to make up any educational deficit beyond compulsory school-leaving age (currently 16 in the UK). Care leavers can exhibit remarkable resilience and leaving care may be an opportunity for positive change. Jennifer Driscoll reports on a small pilot study which explored young people's own accounts and explanations in relation to their educational experiences and attainment, together with their attitudes to and engagement with education, particularly with regard to their aspirations and motivation to persevere with it. The challenges for schools in providing support to young people who are notoriously self-reliant and resistant to accepting help are considered in the context of current tensions in educational policy.
Embracing Risk: Lessons Learned in a Young Person's Wraparound Service in Wales
Authors: Hill Jael
Published: March 2013

Jael Hill describes the work of a specialist wraparound service for looked after children who present significant risks to themselves and others and/or are vulnerable to being harmed. She explores the nature of risk as a process which acquires form and meaning in working contexts and proposes that there can be significant costs to young people when risk-averse responses dominate, and that children are likely to benefit from services which expect, tolerate, understand and skilfully work with risks. The article describes approaches to working directly with young people, discusses ways of supporting workers to accept and cope with risky behaviours and looks at safely holding the emotions that drive some professionals and agencies hoping to eliminate risky behaviours.
The Experience of Living with a Foster Sibling, as Described by the Birth Children of Foster Carers: A Thematic Analysis of the Literature
Authors: Thompson Hayley , McPherson Susan
Published: March 2013

The relationship between foster children and carers' own offspring has been investigated in many studies within foster care. However, while general patterns and outcomes have been established, the explanations underlying this relationship are more likely to be found in the common themes of smaller studies based on psychological theories published in academic and professional journals. This review by Hayley Thompson and Susan McPherson examines 14 published articles describing 12 different research studies, all exploring the experience of living with foster siblings, as described by the birth children of foster carers. These 12 studies include primarily qualitative evidence, although four also use forced choice and open response questionnaires. Taken together, the studies reviewed reflect the experiences of 1,102 children, aged between three and 32 years. They discuss the positive gains of fostering, the experience of loss, the conflict experienced, the transitions made and ways in which children manage the foster sibling relationship. These findings are discussed in relation to psychological theories, and proposals for future research and clinical practice are outlined. Conclusions are also drawn about the contribution of small-scale studies published in journals in disseminating research findings about fostered children.
Exploring the Emotional Experiences of Foster Carers Using the Photovoice Technique
Authors: Pickin Lauren , Brunsden Vivienne , Hill Rowena
Published: March 2013

Despite the wealth of literature on foster care, limited attention has been given to investigating the subjective, everyday experiences of the carers themselves. Lauren Pickin, Vivienne Brunsden and Rowena Hill report on research into the emotional experiences of foster carers using the photovoice method as reconfigured for psychological research (Brunsden and Goatcher, 2007). The resultant visual and verbal data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (Smith and Osborn, 2003). Five super-ordinate themes emerged: ‘Angry frustration’, ‘Promoting security and well-being’, ‘An ambiguous life’, ‘The impact of the children’ and ‘Coping?’. The research provides a greater understanding of the emotional needs of foster carers and has practical implications in terms of provision for their support.
Open Adoption: Adoptive Parents' Experiences of Birth Family Contact and Talking to Their Child about Adoption
Authors: MacDonald Mandi , McSherry Dominic
Published: March 2013

The trend towards more open adoption presents adopters with unique parenting challenges associated with satisfying the child's curiosity about their origins and maintaining relationships with birth family through contact. This article by Mandi MacDonald and Dominic McSherry focuses on the experiences of 20 sets of adoptive parents who were interviewed as part of the Northern Ireland Care Pathways and Outcomes Study. Interviews were analysed following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The article explores adoptive parents' experience of talking to their child about adoption and of post-adoption contact with members of the birth family. Adopters discussed adoption sensitively with their child but were concerned that difficult and complex family histories would present a risk to the child's self-esteem and emotional well-being. All forms of contact proved emotionally and practically burdensome; however, adopters were committed to making it work for the child's benefit and were open to increased contact should the child wish it in the future. There was little relationship with birth family outside of formal contact. The study reveals the need for a mechanism to facilitate communication with birth families if adopters are to be able to respond to the child's changing need for contact and information.
Getting Started with the 1948 Children Act: What Do We Learn?
Authors: Parker Roy
Published: March 2013

Roy Parker reflects on the reform of children's services in the wake of the 1948 Children Act and the role of children's officers and children's committees charged with its implementation in the period 1948–1970. He examines the backgrounds of these officers, many of whom were women seen for the first time in senior positions, methods of recruitment and how the performance of officers and committees was assessed. He also discusses some of the problems they faced, such as how to shift care from residential establishments to foster homes, overloaded caseloads and substandard children's accommodation, and considers whether any lessons can be learned from the past.
Group Work with Adopted Adolescents
Authors: Kerr-Edwards Simon
Published: March 2013

Local authorities are developing groups for adopted young people as a means of them reflecting on their experiences and contributing to further services. Simon Kerr-Edwards reports on the setting up and running of such a group. He considers the literature on trauma, teenagers and group work and recounts how the group originated and evolved. The model for the group and the issues that have arisen from it are discussed. There is further consideration of what has been learnt from the process and how the group may develop in the future.
The Social Acceptance of Illegal Practices in the Greek Domestic Adoption System
Authors: Nanou Katerina
Published: March 2013

In Greece there are two types of domestic adoption: adoptions through state institutions and by private agreement. Both routes have been subject to considerable criticism because of the delays involved and the dysfunctional system that fails to prevent semi-legal or illegal activities. Katerina Nanou reports on the findings from a case-based study that explored concerns about the Greek domestic adoption system. Legal, policy documents and press articles were analysed and face-to-face interviews were conducted with lawyers, social workers and adopters. The study found that legislation was being subverted and bypassed, corruption was tolerated and that illegal practices were being justified.
Ending Care Relationships: Carer Perspectives on Managing ‘Endings’ within a Part-Time Fostering Service
Authors: Roberts Louise
Published: March 2013

Limited attention has been paid to endings in social care in either literary discussion or empirical research. Louise Roberts explores this topic in relation to Support Care, a family preservation service aimed at those ‘in need’ and undergoing particularly stressful periods. The service is a development of traditional respite breaks for disabled children, providing children (not exclusive to those with disabilities) with a series of short breaks in carers' homes, while parents attempt to resolve difficulties. Typically the service spans a six- to nine-month period. Semi-structured interviews were completed with nine carers within one local authority area. They revealed differing views, experience and practice with regard to ending relationships. Despite the part-time, time-limited nature of the service, close relationships often developed with the result that endings were often emotionally challenging for both carers and children. Well-managed endings are associated with maintaining future progress and the emotional well-being of service users. This contrasts with carers' descriptions of a detached bureaucratic ‘system’ which can dictate the conclusion of relationships suddenly and abruptly. It is suggested that the subject of social care endings deserves increased practice and academic attention.
‘Me and My Child’: Parenting Experiences of Young Mothers Leaving Care
Authors: Maxwell Amanda , Proctor Julie , Hammond Linda
Published: March 2013

Previous research suggests that a woman's past experiences of being parented will have a significant influence on how she parents her own children. This study, reported by Amanda Maxwell, Julie Proctor and Linda Hammond, aimed to explore young care-leaving mothers' experiences of motherhood, focusing on their experience of themselves as mothers, their relationship with their child and their understanding of their child's experiences. Six mothers were interviewed who had spent time in care and were teenagers at the time of the birth of their child. They also completed diaries of their experiences over a two-week period. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and super-ordinate themes were identified. These themes were represented as dialectical positions and included: the ideal and reality; motherhood as building positive views of self and other, but also highlighting vulnerability; identification with her child but also feeling taken over by him or her; and external world as needed but also unwanted and destabilising. These results are discussed in relation to existing literature, and practice and research implications are considered.
Intercountry Adoption after the Haiti Earthquake: Rescue or Robbery?
Authors: Selman Peter
Published: March 2013

In the first two months of 2010, the plight of orphaned children in earthquake-hit Haiti led to calls for intercountry adoption processes to be expedited, but it also raised the question of whether taking children away from their homeland, even in extreme or impoverished conditions, is the right solution, especially at times of crisis. Peter Selman examines, in the context of other examples of the use (or non-use) of adoption as a response to natural disaster, the varied responses of countries in Europe and North America in the aftermath of the earthquake and how this affected the number of children adopted from Haiti.
Responding to Allegations of Negligence by Former Children in Care: The Experiences of an Expert Witness
Authors: Lane David
Published: March 2013

David Lane discusses the system whereby people allege negligence on the part of agencies that were responsible for their care as children or young people. Although his article is written from the personal viewpoint of an expert witness and former director of social services, the system is a sufficiently important (if small-scale) process in our legal and social services to merit scrutiny, especially as the author has some concerns about what is happening and the fact that it has not been independently researched.
What are Care Proceedings Really Like?
Authors: Masson Judith
Published: March 2013

Judith Masson explains why care proceedings are like they are and what needs to be done to make them more efficient. She draws on evidence from three research studies and concludes that the present complexity arises from several factors: the failure to appreciate the significance of negotiations before and during hearings; tardiness at all stages of the process; the extensive use of experts; difficult practice area; and assumptions about what is best for children. Recommendations for change are discussed.