Adopting children with high therapeutic needs: staying committed over the long haul

Abstract

This research arose from concern about the prevalence of UK adoptions of children with significant levels of emotional, behavioural and/or therapeutic needs, and the fact that these are being made in a context where research into the outcomes of such placements is sparse. It focuses on adopters of children pre-identified as having high therapeutic needs and looks specifically at the factors that affect adopters’ ongoing commitment. The methodology was qualitative with findings drawn from six in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adopters, followed by focus groups comprising adopters and social workers. Levels of commitment were assessed using the conceptualisation and measures outlined in previous research involving the ‘This is My Baby Interview’ (Bates and Dozier, 1998). Contrary to initial hypotheses, levels of adopter commitment did not correlate with the severity of need or challenging behaviours in their adopted children per se. Instead, it was found to be associated with their feelings of ‘hope’ about the future, feelings that were closely linked to the level, accessibility and quality of the therapeutic and professional resources available.