This research study describes the setting up of the first rigorous test in the UK to look at the efficacy of particular kinds of adoption support.

It aimed to discover whether the addition of one-on-one parenting advice sessions made a difference compared with a comparison group receiving routine support services. The study reports on the adopters’ perception of the preparation they received to manage their children’s difficulties, the content of the specially designed support programmes, the outcomes of the programmes and how these affected the children’s outcomes.

Who is this book for?

All social workers, managers and policy makers concerned with adoption support services.

What you will find in this book

This study explores:

• The rationale and content of the two specially devised parenting advice programmes employed during the research
• The adopters’ perception of the preparation they received to manage children’s difficulties
• How the parenting programmes were shared with the adopters
• The views of the adopters on the efficacy of the programmes
• The views of the advisers on undertaking this training
• Outcomes of the programmes – how different parenting programmes affected parents’ views and behaviour, and the behaviour of the adopted children
• The costs and effectiveness of the programmes and of other specialist support services used by the families

Alan Rushton:
Alan Rushton is a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, where he was previously Director of the MSc programme in mental health social work. He has been engaged in follow-up studies of older children adopted from care, the outcomes of sibling placements and contact arrangements and has published widely in these fields.

Elizabeth Monck:
Elizabeth Monck is based at Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, London. Her work has included an evaluation of concurrent planning in the placement of very young children from care, and outcomes of treatment for abused children.