Adoptive Parenting From Placement to Adoption Order: “Long, Gruelling, Intrusive and in the End… Just Another Number on Someone’s Spreadsheet”

Adoption is the process of the removal of parental rights from birth parent(s) to adoptive parent(s) (Seymor 2019). This research will consider the lived experiences of eight adoptive parents during the process of adopting their children, all eight adoptive parents have been given full parental responsibilities through the UK court system (UK Government, 2024). This research is new, it fills a gap in knowledge when considering the lived experiences of adoptive parents from when their child(ren) move in (placement) until they are legally considered their children (order) (UK Government, 2024). This is an area of research that has not been considered previously. The experiences and views of adoptive parents below is hard hitting, unexpected and at times shocking. This research identifies a number of challenges for adoptive parents, who are parenting some of the most vulnerable children in society (Jenson & Fraser 2016) at the same time as trying to construct a new family. Recommendations are made at the end of this research which include bespoke training for adopters, independent support and guidance for adopters and specialist professionals who understand the needs of adoptive families in this timeframe.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Gardner, Katie

• HQ Y teulu. Priodas. Benyw.
• HV Patholeg gymdeithasol. Lles cymdeithasol a chyhoeddus

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3050