The Support Needs and Experiences of Newly Formed Adoptive Families: Findings From the Wales Adoption Study

26 June 2018 3 mins read Research In Practice Fostering and adoption Adoption

This research paper focuses on the support needs of newly formed adoptive families, addressing a gap in the literature for research in the post-placement period.

There is increasing recognition that many adoptive families require ongoing support, or have support needs that wax and wane over time.

Background research

Although adoption disruption rates are low, many adoptive families struggle to manage complex behaviours (e.g. poor emotional regulation and relationship difficulties) in both the short and longer term (Selwyn et al, 2015). Concern about the needs of children adopted from care and their families led to the development of the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) in England.

Research by Selwyn (2017) and Stock, Spielhofer and Gieve (2016) identified a range of promising interventions to support adoptive families. However, with the exception of the AdOpt programme in the UK, there is little focus on help specifically in early adoptive family life.

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