The Provision and Experience of Adoption Support Services in Wales: Perspectives from Adoption Agencies and Adoptive Parents

This study was commissioned and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. Little has been known in Wales about how the post-adoption support needs of adoptive families are assessed across the country, what provision is made to meet these needs, and how adoptive families experience this process. The provision of detailed information regarding the structure, provision and management of post-adoption assessment and support services throughout Wales was therefore needed in order to inform the implementation of the National Adoption Service. Furthermore, it was important to understand more about adoptive parents’ support needs and their experiences of post-adoption assessment and support in Wales in order to plan for support services which are appropriate to meet these needs.