The legal and administrative processes in adoption: views and experiences of newly formed adoptive families. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doughty, Julie; Meakings, Sarah; Shelton, Katherine
• Is Part Of: Journal of social welfare and family law. Volume 39:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 473
• Page End: 490
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Adoption -- placement -- courts -- legal process -- local authorities -- post-adoption contact -- identity -- permanence; Public welfare -- Law and legislation -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 344.410305
• DOI: 10.1080/09649069.2017.1390284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-9069

Abstract

Abstract: The early stages of adoptive placements are important in achieving successful long-term outcomes for adopted children and their families. This paper reports on findings from the Wales Adoption Study, in which adoptive parents shared their views and experiences of the legal and administrative processes in obtaining an adoption order. Parents described a range of difficulties that added to anxieties and delays. These arose mainly through poor communication about the steps in the legal process and avoidable administrative errors or oversights. Some parents also experienced lack of information and support regarding agreed contact arrangements and work with their child to help them make sense of their adoptive status.