[Social Work and Recruitment in BME Adoption]

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this research is to conduct an evaluation of Action for Children's practice in ethnically matching Black, Asian and dual heritage children for adoption. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of social workers in developing, supporting and encouraging adoptive parents (and families) from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds to provide permanent homes for children and young people waiting for adoption. Research methods included individual interviews with social workers who are directly involved in adoption of BME families. A detailed conclusion was provided in which limitations of research were also discussed. Some possible implications were discussed in the paper in order to make the process of adoption more effective.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Rationale of the Study2

Problem Statement3

Research Objectives3

Research Questions4

Ethical Considerations5

Limitation of Research6

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW7

Policies and Legislation7

Racial/Ethnic Identity9

Barriers to Recruiting BME Adopters11

Ethical Issues in Social Work of Adtoption13

What Makes a Good Match?14

Adoption Black Families Project15

Background16

Staffing and Management18

Ethos and Values of Adoption Black Families18

Meaning of 'Black'19

Overcoming institutional racism20

Importance of Ethnically Matched Placements20

Recruitment, Assessment and Support21

Dealing with Initial Enquiries22

Assessment process22

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY24

Research Design24

Sample24

Sampling Method25

Literature Search25

Individual Interviews25

Keywords27

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION & IMPLICATIONS28

Social Work28

Human Rights and Human Dignity28

Social Justice29

Professional Conduct of Social Work30

Managers and Staff of Adoption Black Families32

Recruitment of BME Adopters33

The Process of Adoption34

Experience of Adopters35

Matching36

Potential Biases in Adoption38

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION39

Limitations40

REFERENCES41

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

By the 1970s, trans-racial adoption had become an accepted practice in the UK, which was due to both a lack of minority ethnic adopters and an over representation of BME children in care. There was little recognition that children from BME backgrounds may have had changed placement needs to their white majority peers, and even less use of the related need to recruit BME adopters. Much of the impetus for change surrounding the trans-racial adoption debate in the UK was highly influenced by the civil rights and black consciousness movements in the U.S. (Small, 1991, 65).

In 1972 the National Association of black Social Workers (NABSW) described trans-racial adoption as 'cultural genocide', and questioned the motivation of trans-racial adopters, which they argued involved taking away the black community's most valuable resource: its children. The placement of BME children with white families had thus become the centre of heated debate within BME communities and wider community. In a similar context to the US experience, one of the strongest attacks on trans-racial adoption also came from a radical black Social Work perspective. In their evidence to the House of Commons Social Services Committee (in March 1983), the Association ...