William Eichler 26 September 2017

Adopted families ‘in crisis’, survey reveals

More than a quarter of adopted families are ‘in crisis’, survey reveals as charity finds many children show signs of ‘aggressive behaviour’.

The charity Adoption UK has conducted a survey into the experiences of families who have gone through the adoption process.

More than a quarter of parents said there were either serious challenges impacting the wider family, or their adoption was at risk of disruption, or it had already been disrupted.

Almost half were finding it ‘challenging but stable’, and just over a quarter said it was ‘fulfilling and stable’.

‘The survey results broadly mirror what we already knew – that many families are experiencing serious challenges,’ said Dr Sue Armstrong Brown, chief executive of Adoption UK.

‘In a utopian world all adoptive parents’ experiences would be ‘fulfilling and stable’ but we’re talking about some of the most vulnerable children in society.’

Carried out in conjunction with the BBC, the survey also revealed the majority of the adoptive parents who responded said they were living with serious and continuing violence from their children, and almost two thirds said their child had displayed aggressive behaviour towards them.

Dr Sue Armstrong Brown said: ‘We’re talking about trauma-fuelled violence from children who will have witnessed the unthinkable in their early lives.

‘Adoption is not a silver-bullet – these children’s problems don’t just disappear overnight.

‘Children who have suffered the trauma of abuse or neglect have experienced the world being an unsafe and dangerous place. The child's violent behaviour reveals extreme distress and a need to feel safe and protected.

‘These children need particular parenting techniques and access to therapy to overcome early childhood trauma, and they may reject any attempts at parental affection or management of their behaviour.’

Around a third of adoptive parents also said they believed they did not receive ’full and correct’ information about their children during the adoption process, but the overwhelming majority of respondents said they were glad that had adopted.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner