Literature search

The use of the key words 'adoption', 'disruption' and 'special needs' bring forth a plethora of references from both sides of the Atlantic and elsewhere. Quite appropriately academics, policy makers and practitioners have given increased attention to placement outcome in recent years and the 'monitoring movement' which gained pace in the 198Os produced a wealth of literature even by 1990[4].

However, for the purposes of this paper which seeks to explore disruption, post-adoption much of the literature is of limited relevance. There are reasons for this. Firstly many of the studies focus on disruption which occurs prior to the granting of an order, even if at the time of placement adoption was the stated goal[5]. The children in these circumstances have never actually left public care, and the same agency continues to be responsible for their welfare, they ore an easier group to identify for research than their counterparts who return to the system years after the Order is granted.

Secondly although studies of placements which did not disrupt have things to teach us by suggesting reasons why they have endured [6] they cannot inform the practice issues on which this paper is focussed. Thirdly, even when post-order disruption is considered, the emphasis is often on the characteristics of the child, the family or the agency practice and services which link the two [7] rather than the management of the disruption itself. Two notable exceptions are O'Neill (1997) and Harper (1994) who describes her work as 'the assessment and counselling of local, special needs children and those adopted from overseas'.

Focus Group

Post-order disruption was discussed with a group of twelve practitioners, middle managers and user support group representatives based in the East Midlands. The session lasted two hours, and the discussion was tape recorded, transcribed and analysed in order to identify key points and implications for practice.

Interviews with adoptive parents

For the reasons outlined in the introduction to this paper we avoided approaching certain young people and families from the Project 16-18 cohort. However with the help of colleagues in other agencies we were able to identify five families where a post-order disruption had occurred. In the opinion of the workers known to the families, it was appropriate to make an approach and request that we might hear of their experience for the project at a time and place of their choosing.

Four of the five agreed, and thus participated in a qualitative semi-structured interview. As the families had a lot to say on the subject, interviews lasted around three hours. Using an interview guide to ensure a degree of uniformity in the issues covered, couples described their adoption experience and their feelings about the child's departure (all were now in care) in graphic terms.

In addition participants were asked to describe and reflect on any further aspects of their experience which they felt would be helpful to others. Quotes from these interviews can be found later in this paper in the section "Living with disruption".

In keeping with the approach of Project 16-18, we sought to obtain the views of black and Asian adoptive parents for this part of the study. In the event, the black family who were approached on our behalf by their social worker declined to participate. Thus all our respondents were white British. Three had children of the same race, the fourth had adopted a child of white/African Caribbean parentage, their second transracial placement.

Experience as an Adoption Agency and provider of a Post-Adoption Service.

Whilst recognising that a great deal of learning remains, as on agency we are aware that our placement and post-adoption work brings us into contact with adoptive placements in crisis and that gradually we have accumulated considerable experience in this field.

We also value liaison with colleagues in other adoption agencies and related fields whose views and experiences have complemented or challenged our own. It has therefore been possible to incorporate some of this experience in the writing of this paper, and to have benefitted from consultation with others who have a particular interest in this topic[8].

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