Did birth relative attendance at adoption panels assist decision-making? Evaluating the Suffolk experience

Abstract

This article evaluates an adoption agency’s scheme to encourage birth relative attendance at adoption panels considering whether their child required adoption. Using qualitative evaluations of panel minutes and adoption agency statistics, it was found that birth relative attendance generally enhanced the thoroughness and sensitivity of panel deliberations. Having met birth relatives, panel members were usually more confident about the need for adoption, but thought carefully about how they highlighted parental deficits, showing appreciation of birth relatives’ feelings for their child. The child’s heritage appeared to figure more prominently in discussions. There were rare instances of birth relative representations leading to diversion from the adoption proposal, usually in favour of kinship care. Birth parents appeared to use attendance to record a construction of themselves for their child to discover in future, including their own perspective on the adoption plan (usually opposition) and expressions of love and good wishes. Vivid accounts of these parental interactions with panels could prove an important source for adopted people who search for their birth heritage. Independent facilitation of birth relative attendances emerged as crucial to successful attendance, providing emotional support at the meeting and improving the uptake of adoption support services.