BRAC²eD Model: an approach to de-bias decision-making in adoption assessments with prospective adopters from minoritized ethnic groups"

Cultural misunderstanding, systemic barriers, restrictive policies, inconsistent and subjective views around standards and requirements have prevented families from a minoritized ethnic background from successfully adopting. Such barriers have led to reluctance and a lack of trust in the adoption system. In this paper, I argue that these barriers arise from cognitive bias that affects decision-making in adoption. The BRAC²eD model for debiasing is introduced to support adoption assessments of individuals and families from minoritized ethnic groups. BRAC²eD recognizes that the process of assessing prospective adopters is complex and offers strategies to debias. In this model, social workers are encouraged to acknowledge the existence of bias, engage in debiasing nudges, internal conversations and reflexive processes that support challenging bias, the utilization of cognitive resources towards debiasing, and change and determine proportionate decisions. The contention for appropriate language around Black, Asian, Mixed heritage and Other minoritized groups is acknowledged. The author uses ‘minoritized ethnic groups’ as a preferred term based on her own identity, however appreciates that those referred to may have their own preferred terms. With that in mind, social workers must understand the cultural and sub-cultural differences and preferences without homogenizing the people they work with

Utilising genetically informed research designs to better understand family processes and child development: implications for adoption and foster care focused interventions

Understanding the interplay between genetic factors and family environmental processes (e.g. interparental relationship quality, positive vs negative parenting practices) and children’s mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression, conduct problems, ADHD) in the contexts of adoption and foster care research and practice is critical for effective prevention and intervention programme development. While evidence highlights the importance of family relationship processes (e.g. interparental relationship quality, parent‒child relationship quality) for the mental health and well-being of children in adoption and foster care, there is relatively limited evidence of effective interventions specifically for these families. Additionally, family-based interventions not specific to the context of adoption and foster care typically show small to medium effects, and even where interventions are efficacious, not all children benefit. One explanation for why interventions may not work well for some is that responses to an intervention may be influenced by an individual’s genetic make-up. Alternatively, the targets of family relationship level interventions (e.g. parenting processes) may not always affect the specific environment ‘trigger’ deemed salient to specific child/adolescent outcomes. This article summarises how genetically informed research designs can help disentangle genetic from environmental processes underlying psychopathology outcomes for children, and how this evidence can provide improved insights into the development of more effective preventive intervention targets for adoptive and foster families. We discuss current difficulties in translating behavioural genetics research to prevention science and provide recommendations to bridge the gap between behavioural genetics research and prevention science, with lessons for adoption and foster care research and practice

A case for cross-border assisted productive treatment for PLWHIV

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Interdisciplinary working in HIV related adoption assessments: service user perspectives

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Attempting to disrupt racial division in social work classrooms through small-group activities

Abstract The notion of racial difference and racial segregation has continued to be problematic in higher education studies. Students belonging to Ethnic Minority groups often feel segregated even in courses and classrooms that promote anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practices. This paper presents a study that investigated seventy-five students from the BA and MA student cohorts within a London-based university. Students were encouraged to integrate and interrogate matters of race and belonging during a seminar on protected characteristics designed to disrupt racial division. Qualitative surveys were conducted to understand participants' views about racial disruption and experiences after the activities. Findings revealed ongoing segregation after the activity in and out of the classroom, fear of approaching racialised spaces, the need for additional brave reflective spaces that disrupt racial segregation and foster better understanding about race. The paper concludes by stressing the significance and value of racially disruptive teaching activities and racial assimilation in social work programmes as a means of tackling racial bias, segregation and decolonisation

Facilitating and supporting HIV+ parenthood: lessons for developing the advocate role of voluntary HIV support services workers

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Ethics and reflexivity in researching HIV-related infertility

In this chapter, I draw on fieldwork conducted for my doctorate that explored the lived experiences of people living with HIV (PLWHIV). I was interested in PLWHIV who had accessed fertility treatment and child adoption services. HIV-related infertility and adoption are different to other forms of infertility or experiences of adoption because some of those affected may not be biologically infertile. When untreated, HIV can affect reproduction and increase the risk of HIV transmission during unprotected sexual intercourse to both a non-positive partner and potentially an unborn baby. Consequently, PLWHIV who wish to become parents are generally encouraged to access counselling in order to establish safer methods of having children. Fertility treatment or adoption are possible options that avoid the risk of HIV transmission to the unborn baby and partner (Savasi, Mandia, Laoreti & Certin, 2013). In this chapter, I discuss how I managed professional and personal relationships during fieldwork as I researched a small community of PLWHIV

Interprofessional working: adoption assessments for people living with HIV

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose that interprofessional working between professionals who work with people living with HIV (PLWHIV) contributes to improvements in the health, social care needs and long-term outcomes of PLWHIV. Interprofessional working initiatives have been useful in promoting successful frameworks used towards improving various aspects of the HIV disease family planning and transmission prevention. The paper proposes that interprofessional working is important in elevating stigma and discrimination that sometimes prevent PLWHIV from successfully achieving parenthood through adoption. The objective of this study is to contribute to social work practice and literature that supports adoption. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study looking at the experiences of PLWHIV going through the adoption process. The study relied on in-depth interviews with six PLWHIV who had gone through the adoption process and presented views regarding a need for better collaborative working by those assessing PLWHIV going through adoption. The sample was purpose and homogeneous. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using IPA framework. Transcripts had been written up and analysed individually. Following which a cross-case analysis to create meaning and conceptual understanding that was common among all cases. Findings Drawing on themes around interprofessional working, this paper argues that there is a need for improved and transparent interprofessional working models within adoption systems. The paper provides conceptual understanding around interprofessional working and how this can be brought about to support the needs of PLWHIV seeking to adopt children. It proposes that working in isolation will leave PLWHIV feeling that the adoption process is ambiguous and unfair, yet efforts to combat this are evident in healthcare settings. Research limitations/implications Limitations to this study include an acceptable but small convenience sample within IPA methodological approaches. This is a hard to reach sample and results may not be generalisable. Practical implications This paper opens a dialogue for discussing issues around the adoption for PLWHIV and informing professionals about increasing opportunities for PLWHIV to adopt children where there is a high demand for adoptive parents. Social implications Placing the views of participants in this study within the body of knowledge could influence meaningful collaboration between adoption social workers and those supporting PLWHIV within health, social care and voluntary sectors. This may influence change and reduce stigma and barriers preventing some PLWHIV from successfully adopting children. Originality/value This paper meets an identified need to explore how PLWHIV can be supported to achieve parenthood. The paper expands on existing knowledge around the need to provide fertility treatment to PLWHIV. It suggests that child adoption can be promoted through child adoption and ultimately promoting normalcy around the desires of PLWHIV to achieve parenthood using non-traditional methods of conception