Pathways to permanence for black,

Asian and mixed ethnicity children

Selwyn J ., Harris, P. Quinton D., Nawaz, S., Wijedasa, D. and Wood,

M.

Minority ethnic children Lack of research but strong statements

often made. Over-represented in LAC and children in

need population ( 22% LAC v 14% pop). Less likely than white children to be

adopted ( 14% of all adoptions). Processes- differential delay and social

work activity, matching, availability of adopters, special needs?

Aims Examine retrospectively whether SW

decisions led to differences in the plans for white and minority ethnic children.

Examine prospectively decision-making, delays and placement histories for minority ethnic children with adoption recommendations.

Samples in three local authorities All children under 10yrs who started to be

looked after April 1st2002-March 31st 2003 - 48 white and 54 minority ethnic children.

All minority ethnic children (n= 120) with an adoption recommendation made between 2005-6

Social workers of all minority ethnic children (n=50) booked into an adoption panel between Nov 05-Dec 06

Census categories Asian- includes Indian, Bangladeshi and

Pakistani. Black includes African and Caribbean

(Black British).

Mixed

Not homogenous groups

Mixed Ethnicity ‘Other’ Category

White/Vietnamese

African/Caribbean

White/Chinese

White/Caribbean

White/Asian

White/Kosovan

Mixed‘other’

Findings No evidence of an initial differential

service response because of ethnicity.

The differences that were apparent were because of the characteristics of each group.

Asian children More likely than other children to be living

in a two parent family. Parents likely to be born outside the UK. Entered care at a young age, particularly

because of ‘family honour’ (izzat). Decision making slower for these children Unlikely to be placed for adoption over the

age of 3 yrs.

Black children Parents of African children likely to be

born outside the UK.

Came to the attention of Children’s Services later.

Entered care later and this affected pathways

Mixed ethnicity children Majority of children were of mixed

ethnicity ( 69% (AR sample), 74% ( interview sample)

Majority of their mothers were white or of mixed ethnicity.

These mothers more disadvantaged and more adverse circumstances than other mothers.

Characteristics of white mothers by child’s ethnicity

White mothers with white children n=32%

White mothers with mixed ethnicity childrenn=39%

Sig

Any child with FAS/drug withdrawal

9 31 P=0.04

Has a partner at home

41 13 P=0.013

Alcohol/substance abuse

45 67 P=0.064

Ever in care 28 42 ns

Families Mental health problems, domestic violence

prevalent across all groups.

Mixed ethnicity children had least support from their extended families.

Referral and Assessment More black and Asian children referred by

education services or self/families and for abuse.

White and mixed children more often

referred by SSD and health services and for neglect.

Assessment often poor but more likely to be poor for minority ethnic children.

Assessment Large number of kin assessments,

sequential and contributing to delay.

Child assessments – core missing for about 50%

Core, Form E and medical info poorer for minority ethnic children

Time to adoption No differences by ethnicity on likelihood of

having an adoption recommendation.

Delays in black and Asian children having an adoption recommendation.

White and mixed ethnicity children similar pathways through the care system.

But many children had a change of plan away from adoption.

Family finding Promotion ad hoc.

Only three minority ethnic children had more than 3 potential adoptive families expressing interest.

Minority ethnic adopters had more choice , able to be more selective.

Female child , mixed ethnicity aged 2 yrs

birth mother is of Ghanaian background (but born in Italy) and a putative father of African Caribbean background. T is of African Caribbean background. She has black skin, dark brown hair and brown eyes. T needs a family that will reflect her ethnic background and will also reflect her cultural identity.

Ethnicity and culture Ethnicity as a category.

Ethnicity as a problem.

Culture not identified but assumed to be the same as ethnicity.

Who got adopted? White 80%

Mixed 70%

Black 42%

Asian 36%

Adoption Age and ethnicity biggest determinants of

likelihood of adoption.

Infants 10x more likely to be adopted than a child older than 3yrs.

Mixed ethnicity children 4x more likely to be adopted than an Asian child.

Issues Initial placement with white foster

carers who later applied to adopt.

Siblings with fathers of different ethnicity.

High turnover of social workers.

Kin assessments.