Adoptive Parents Confront Threats from Authorities as Over 1,000 Children Return to Care
3 hours ago
Claire Kendall, Judith Moritz, BBC special correspondent, and Sophia Cobby, File on 4 Investigates
Verity and Ian were threatened with prosecution for child abandonment.
Verity's breaking point with her adopted son Liam occurred after previous threats with knives and an arrest prompted by false allegations. Her husband Ian recalls a moment when Verity asked a social worker: "What if we just can't do this any more?" The immediate reply was, "You'll be prosecuted for child abandonment." Verity and Ian are among 50 parents interviewed by the BBC over six months to explore the breakdown of adoptive families and the return of children to care.
The investigation reveals a hidden realm where authorities blame and mislead parents who are struggling with children who have endured abuse and neglect before adoption. Parents report threats, harassment, and mental health crises, while a teen who returned to care believes more support could have kept his family intact.
Warning: This article discusses sensitive topics including suicide.
The BBC's extensive Freedom of Information request found more than 1,000 adopted children in the UK returned to care in the past five years, exceeding recent government estimates. True numbers are likely higher as only a third of councils routinely collect this data.
In the investigation's findings:
- Almost a quarter of adoptive parents reported being taken into police custody due to unfounded abuse allegations by their children.
- A whistleblower social worker disclosed a tendency to blame parents when adoptions falter, describing post-adoption support as inadequate.
- Lancaster University research indicates 38% of adoptive parents considered returning a child to care.
A Department for Education spokesperson lauded adoptive parents for providing stability to vulnerable children, acknowledging that while arrangements sometimes fail, support exists to help preserve family units. The department vows future improvements under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. However, neither the government nor the Local Government Association responded to questions regarding the hostility faced by these parents.
Verity and Ian, residing in Yorkshire, adopted Liam and his sister Lauren 15 years ago when the children were two-and-a-half and one, respectively. As Liam aged, his behavior grew increasingly volatile due to past trauma from living in a household plagued by domestic abuse.
Despite being sent on seven parenting courses, Verity criticizes the continuous blaming of parents rather than addressing the root trauma. The couple cherishes memories of encouraging Liam's love for dance but describes his adolescence as a perilous time, fearing for their safety during his violent outbursts.