This thesis consists of three separate parts: a review of the relevant research and literature relating to the subject of the study, an empirical paper and a reflective account from the researcher. The literature review examines historical context on same sex parenting and specifically discusses research relating to adopted young people in same sex families and their experiences in education including factors influencing those experiences. The empirical paper consists of an exploratory qualitative study carried out with a small sample of adopted young people and adoptive gay or lesbian parents in same sex families within the East of England. The study used online semi-structured interviews to elicit the experiences of the two groups about their educational journey so far as well as their experiences of educational support received. Finally, the reflective chapter provides the personal reflections of the researcher about this study from the initial conception of the subject area and research questions to the completion of the analysis and write-up of the paper. Further implications on the researcher professional development and for the profession of educational psychology and research are also explored
