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 1 st 2002-March 31 st white and 54 minority ethnic children.  All minority ethnic children (n= 120) with an adoption recommendation made between  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 Mixed ‘other’ White/AsianWhite/VietnameseWhite/CaribbeanWhite/ChineseAfrican/CaribbeanWhite/Kosovan

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 children n=39 % Sig Any child with FAS/drug withdrawal 931P=0.04 Has a partner at home 4113P=0.013 Alcohol/substance abuse 4567P=0.064 Ever in care2842ns

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.