The support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families: findings from the Wales Adoption Study

Meakings, Sarah, Ottaway, Heather, Coffey, Amanda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8930-0461, Palmer, Claire, Doughty, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2281-7463 and Shelton, Katherine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1311-5291 2018. The support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families: findings from the Wales Adoption Study. Adoption and Fostering 42 (1) , pp. 58-75. 10.1177/0308575917750824

Preview

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (690kB) | Preview

Abstract

This paper 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 sub sample of forty parents were 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 significant others and financial and legal assistance. Whilst 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.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Psychology Law
Publisher:	SAGE Publications (UK and US)
ISSN:	0308-5759
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 December 2017
Date of Acceptance:	11 December 2017
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2024 11:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/107502

Citation Data

Cited 10 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item