Books, booklets & multimedia

Dealing with disruption

	Price: £7.95	BAAF, May 2006 ISBN 978-1-903699-88-1

Which factors lead to disruption? When does a cry for help become a plea for closure? How can we prepare for disruption and manage this painful transition for children and families? And finally, how can we learn from disruption, and move on to make better plans and placements for children? Dealing with disruption considers various aspects of disruption and will be invaluable for all those involved in making permanent placements for children.

This Good Practice Guide is concerned with children who move into permanent placements and then have to move again contrary to expectations. While adoption outcomes for children placed young are very good, and for later placed children still very much “worth the risk”, it is not possible to get the match of child and new family right every time; inevitably, some placements will disrupt. But disruptions do not happen overnight. There is usually a process leading to disruption, even if it happens at an early stage or during introductions. If carers and workers together can devise an early warning system, a final crisis may be averted.

This guide will offer professionals the following:

• an overview of what research tells us;
• the factors leading to disruption;
• managing and chairing disruption meetings;
• a consideration of alternative models;
• an exploration of the impact of disruption on all concerned; and
• moving on from disruption.

Case studies are used throughout to illustrate the points made and useful appendices include a sample of a disruption report.

However painful the process of disruption inevitably is, it can be viewed as a stage on the path to permanence.