The role of the social worker in adoption – ethics and human rights: An Enquiry

This study commissioned by BASW into the role of the social worker in adoption in the UK with a focus on ethics and human rights. This project involved the use of a range of methods, such as interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires. In addition, seminars were held where different stakeholders engaged in dialogue with each other about adoption, ethics, human rights and social work. Almost 300 participants and 10 organisations contributed to the Adoption Enquiry.

This study commissioned by BASW into the role of the social worker in adoption in the UK with a focus on ethics and human rights. This project involved the use of a range of methods, such as interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires. In addition, seminars were held where different stakeholders engaged in dialogue with each other about adoption, ethics, human rights and social work. Almost 300 participants and 10 organisations contributed to the Adoption Enquiry.

The use of adoption needs to be located and discussed in the context of wider social policies relating to poverty and inequality.
UK governments should collect and publish data on the economic and social circumstances of families affected by adoption.
The current model of adoption should be reviewed, and the potential for a more open approach considered.
There needs to be further debate about the status of adoption and its relationship to other permanence options.