The Truth about Adoption

Last night (14th December) BBC Panorama focussed on 'The Truth About Adoption', this blog - written by one of our Consultants, Nick Lister, outlines the key issues.

Adoption is now high on the political agenda as the best option for the 65,000 children in care. But, with less than 5% actually placed for adoption, children must wait an average two years and seven months for a permanent family. Why does it take so long? What is the human cost?

This Panorama Special followed six children in Coventry waiting to be adopted over six months. Some had waited five years. Others were returned after almost three years with prospective adopters. One child, then aged 18 months, was returned after just two weeks. This film addressed the hidden cost of adoption breakdown. In all cases, the children's pain and longing was tangible, as was the burning attachment experienced by birth parents, often against all odds and what appears to be the children’s best interests.

This edition of Panorama was a ‘no holds barred’ view of this issue from inside a Children’s Social Care Department. The efforts of social workers to try to use the Adoption system to provide stability in the lives of children was vividly depicted and the programme provided a moving and realistic perspective on the complex issues that people in this system face.

In particular, the resilience and optimism of these children shone through- things might change and there might for some be hurt after hurt to contend with, but these kids just come back fighting, waiting for things to work out and for ‘For Ever’ families to be found for them.

The dedication and strength of experienced foster cares who know what these children want and need to live full lives was there for all to see. If ever there was a job that made a difference, this is it! And finally the Social Worker, against all the odds battling away in a calm, kind manner- feeling for the children but giving it to them straight, being kind and yes, even shedding a tear with them.

Some wider, complicated issues were touched upon including the challenges of parenting with a learning difficulty and the issue of parents who have many children, none of whom they are able or allowed to care for. The participation of children and the balance between involving them and keeping them in touch on one hand, and protecting them from disappointment by keeping things from them was also described vividly by the programme. The delay in progressing adoption form plan to reality was also apparent.

There wasn’t time and it would not have been fitting to explore the perspective of the formal legal system of the family court and the adversarial nature of the process that occurs there; nor was the quasi-judicial functioning and operation of the Adoption Panel and the relationship between the two.

Crucially, the difference between the demand for adoptive families and the supply wasn’t explored and despite the posturing of the government, this is truly what lies at the heart of the problem. Too many children need long-term care and there are not enough people to provide this.

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