In Limbo Adoptive Placements and Large Sibling group adoptions 24.3.2017 Ellen Paladini-Stone and Katie Law

Adoption Types of adoptions Who can adopt Local authority care Concurrent/foster to adopt Intercountry Who can adopt One or two parent households A relative or non relative (i.e. step parent) Must be at least 21 years old Of any religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, Who can be adopted? children up to the age of 18 Sibling groups/singletons Children with complex needs

The adoption journey for looked after children Adopters are prepared, assessed and approved Placement Order made for child Family finding – social worker identifies suitable adopters for the child Introductions arranged, then child is placed with adopters Though this is an adoptive placement, the child is still in care and so there are regular social work visits and LA reviews etc. After 10 weeks the adopters can apply to adopt the child Implications of the making of the adoption order

Sibling groups defined Biological- children who share one or two parents. All children share some, if not all, genetic material. Full and half siblings. Legal/Blended- children who may not be genetically related but are related legally, through marriage (step siblings) or adoption. Children in blended families can be raised like step siblings without legal relationship, i.e. unwed parents with children from separate relationships. Psychological- children who are not related biologically or through parental and/or legal relationships but have been brought up together and share an emotional bond and identify as siblings. For instance, children raised together in foster care.

What is a Large Sibling Group?

What is a Large Sibling Group? Usually defined as 3 or more children who share a parent(s) and/or experiences who are raised together. The motivation to have a large family may vary widely. The “19 Kids and Counting” family cite religious reasons as one motivation Cultural reasons Family expectations Desire for children to not feel alone/isolated/separated There is little known about large sibling groups aside from information on birth order and education attainment. Large sibling groups wait for permanency

Keeping siblings together UK policy aims to keep siblings together when placed into local authority care unless there are extenuating circumstances that require their separation. Research, generally, indicates favourable outcomes for siblings placed together (Argent 2008, Hegar 2005, Hegar, Rosenthal 2011, Herrick, Piccus 2005, Tarren-Sweeney, Hazell 2005) Benefits of keeping siblings together include; Shared experience of the sibling group which can help them make sense of their transition into care. Maintains familiar roles and routines Mutual support

When to separate siblings There are times when it may be appropriate to separate siblings Together or apart assessments Determines the quality and significance of the sibling relationship Weighs the risks vs benefits of the remaining together or being separated If separation is recommended, plans for the separation should be carefully thought out Often times, inter sibling abuse is cited as a reason to separate We must however distinguish between a negative sibling relationship and an insignificant sibling relationship.

When to separate siblings Other reasons siblings might separate Lack of resource families Lack of approved adopters for large sibling groups Lack of attuned support for sibling groups Individual needs vs sibling group needs The wait

Statistics on large sibling group adoptions 2014/2015 97 children in a large sibling group were referred (1 group of four, 1 group of six) 1993 adoptive families referred with only 1% (or approximately 20 families) approved for a sibling group of three and none approved for more than three siblings

Why I think research is needed about “in limbo adoptive placements” My work experience Other LAs - Freedom of Information requests

  Information provided in response to FOI request by 175 English and Welsh local authorities For over 12 but less than 24 months 137 For over 24 but less than 36 months 40 For over 36 months. 25 Totals 202

Possible implications of in limbo adoptive placements No research about frequency of and reasons for delayed applications Julie Selwyn et al (2015) states there is increased rise of disruption if application is delayed by more than two years No other research about implications for children or adopters

Possible reasons Practical reasons Adopters felt mislead and not prepared well enough for the placement? Concerns about provision of adoption support Attachment issues

Research plans Freedom of Information Requests Online surveys Meeting with adopters Meetings with social workers

The adoption triangle Birth parents Adopted person Adoptive parents 10/24/2017 The adoption triangle Birth parents Adopted person Adoptive parents

What can we do? Targeted recruitment for resource families Comprehensive and creative support plans Appropriate training and knowledge about sibling groups

Your thoughts, views and advice please