Adoption for Looked After Children: Messages from Research

Abstract

Caroline Thomas's book contains six chapters which feature an overview of key findings from the research initiative commissioned by the (former) Department of Children, Schools and Families. The Adoption Research Initiative (ARI) set out to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the 2002 Adoption and Children Act. The evidence from the research acknowledges aspects of adoption practice which are focused on the adoption planning and placement of children from the care system. The author brings together key findings from the ARI and presents themes which are designed to inform future practice. The premise of the book is based on a commitment to research informed practice from a series of seven large research studies which examine how the objectives of the 2002 Adoption and Children Act were being applied into local policies, procedures and practice initiatives. These ARI studies ‘measure’ the outcomes for children who had recently been placed for adoption or in other permanent placements, and assessed the impact of the placements on their family and carers. There is a constant theme throughout this book which is associated with how practitioners can be more effective in creating permanency. The author refers to the historical policy and legal context in UK practice; this is useful in respect of the increasing numbers of children adopted from care (pp. 19–21). There are various techniques and summaries presented throughout the text which add value to the analysis of various studies. Each chapter has a clear rationale and effective signposting. For example, perceptions about ‘belonging’ and ‘permanence’ are discussed in respect of children's experiences. It is great to see children's participation being used in this way (pp. 24–5)! There is a helpful series of ‘key points and messages’ which help the reader to access salient points from various studies. This is particularly evident in the section about ‘finding a family’ (p. 38), which I found to be very effective.

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