‘More Adoptions, More Quickly’: A Study of Social Workers' Responses to the Adoption and Children Act 2002

Abstract

This article draws on findings from a small pilot study seeking an early indication, from the social worker perspective, of the impact of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 on the adoption process. The article discusses several issues. These issues include government targets, recruitment drives, training, disruptions and post‐adoption support. We found that some social workers in the field of adoption harbour grave concerns regarding New Labour's ‘more adoptions more quickly’ approach. The findings suggest that it can be very difficult for social workers to communicate effectively to prospective adopters the type of child that is available for adoption. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the new, quicker approach to adoption approval. Furthermore, whilst social workers may welcome the provision of increased post‐adoption support, the article points to the importance that social workers attach to post‐qualifying training for tackling communication problems between social workers and prospective adopters. They also attach importance to the provision of improved training for prospective adopters, in order that such adopters are appropriately prepared to parent a looked after child.