In the autumn 1995 edition of Adoption & Fostering, Alan Burnell and Adrian Briggs described the origins and objectives of a novel complementary contract between East Sussex Social Services and the Post-Adoption Centre (PAC), aimed at providing post-adoption counselling and consultation services to all those involved in adoption in the county. The same authors now evaluate the operation of the contract, one year on. After filling in some background they assess its achievements so far, with particular regard to the extra support to service users and staff, and reducing the risk of disruption. The article concludes that the first year of the contract has demonstrated the need for comprehensive assessment and treatment services for adoptive families with children experiencing attachment difficulties.
BurnellABriggsA, ‘The next generation of post-placement and post-adoption services: A complementary contract approach‘, Adoption & Fostering19:3, 1995, pp 6–10
2.
Department of Health, Post-placement Services for Children and Families: Defining the need, London: SSI, 1995
3.
HoweD, ‘Adoption and attachment‘, Adoption & Fostering19:4, 1995, pp 7–15
