Adoption 'professionals', what does that really mean?

Question

People who work in agencies call themselves 'professionals', but what does that really mean? If they have a degree in social work, is that enough?

Plumbers, hairdressers, attorneys, and manicurists need licensing from the state they work in, and follow a code of professional ethics.

I have heard of MANY abuses by adoption 'professionals' lately, particularly in Utah.

Shouldn't a 'professional' who has the fate of a child have training outside the agency, and specific licensing?

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes, adoption professionals should be licensed as well as have a degree in social work.

The agency that I am working with has only licensed social workers on staff and they have specialized training for adoption counseling from accredited colleges.

Answer 2

Hi Sunny,

That's an interesting question.  What it means & what it should mean can be different things.  We assume that adoption professionals today  are qualified to provide such services as objective counseling to both expectant mothers and prospective adoptive parents.  There certainly should be standards that are consistent and measurable.  To determine the quality of service provided within the adoption industry, we could consider the type of agency, the required laws for licensing, additional adoption counseling training received, the outcomes of adoptions, and the method of compensation, among other factors.

I think in the past, adoption professionals took charge of all aspects of adoption and discouraged any communication between the other parties involved.  Times are changing and openness and honesty are now desired.  I think the practices that were used are no longer acceptable.  Adoption professionals may be struggling to redefine their roles and importance within the entire modern adoption structure.

Some benefits of providing objective services include PAPs that would gain realistic expectations of adoptive parenthood, and expectant mothers that would be able to make decisions that are soley in their own best interests and the interests of their child.  

The training that NCFA currently offers adoption counselors is "pro adoption" which means their bias is only towards leading a pregnant woman to believe that adoption is a loving option.  They are not allowed to discuss any negatives.  Realistic counseling in my opinion, would include chats with adult adoptees and natural parents who relinquished many years ago.  Required reading would be expanded to real issues facing adopted children.

It's no secret that agencies must make money to stay in business.  It's also no secret that AP's pay ridiculously high fees for adopted children.  (Yes, I know they would say it's all legal fees, let's not kid ourselves though)  Since there is a high demand, there undoubtedly is also pressure to find enough babies whose natural parents believe that relinquishing them is a good idea.  Some may consider that to be a conflict of interest on the social worker's part.  

You mentioned Utah.  They have shortest revocation period, fewest rights for fathers, and adoption professionals know that.  Many try to relocate pregnant girls to that state specifically for the purpose of having them relinquish their babies there.  Some adoption professionals work on a commission style basis, meaning the more babies they place, the more income they personally generate.  I'm sure that is not disclosed anywhere to any of the other parties involved, yet it is relevant information.  Agencies also receive bonuses from the govt for every child they place, which was originally intended to help the foster children find adoptive homes.

From what I understand, many adoption professionals are also adoptive parents.  That could also be considered a conflict of interest.  Some natural mothers report hearing only the positives that a baby will bring into a couple's life and not anything about how relinquishing will effect them or their child, other than to be told they will get over it.  Some natural moms are disappointed when the post-relinquishment counseling they were promised is not available when they later request it.

There are many concerns with adoption professionals.  With all the talk of reforms, the items you mentioned should be near the top of the list.  It's very important for professionals to be totally unbiased, not work on a commission, provide all promised services, provide all options, facts, statistics, etc.  They should also provide an independent legal advisor specifically for the expectant mother to represent her rights and the rights of the child.  They could also make better efforts in the search/reunion departments rather than being a hinderance to the process that many adoptees & first mothers experience.

While some social work practices have changed for the better, there are many more that have not, or that have actually deteriorated.  Yes, adoption professionals should be required to have specialized training in modern adoption practices & philosophies, not just social work in general.  I also believe that once licensed, regular continuing education could benefit all parties of adoption services, and not just the agency or adoptive parents.  This in turn could enable the social workers to be considered even more helpful & respected in their fields.  Thanks for asking.

julie j

reunited adoptee

Answer 3

A social worker is a true "adoption professional," since he or she must usually obtain a Master's Degree in social work.  With that level of education, they can truly call themselves professionals.  But a person is not necessarily an "adoption professional" just because they own or work at an agency.  It is definitely important to do one's homework when choosing an agency to facilitate an adoption.  If the majority of those you will interact with at the agency have LCSW or MCSW degrees, you can probably feel pretty confident that they are "professional."

Answer 4

unregulated industries rarely stay in control.

Answer 5

I think one of the hallmarks of ANY profession is that it regulates and polices itself.  Doctors must answer to other doctors.  Teachers are evaluated by other teachers.  Air Line Pilots must pass rigorous tests prepared by other pilots.

I don't see that same criteria being appied to the "adoption professionals."  They must be the same people who work in the "adoption industry."   Where do these meaningless names come from?

Answer 6

I can see what you mean. I am not sure about how different things are in america.

I hope that they do have professional qualifications in doing thier job, as APS and birth mothers put trust in them. I have kept my social worker since th day I was adopted. My social worker has had experience in adoption personally though, and I think life skills within adoption count for something.

Answer 7

i agree 100%, sunny.

my understanding of a "professional" is one who:

1-completed a standardized educational or training program;

2-acquired state licensure to practice, which can be revoked if the "professional" engages in behavior which is unethical, unprofessional or causes undue harm (eg. the revocation of a attorney's law license by the state's bar association due to unethical behavior);

3-are bound by a code of ethics and professional conduct;

4-are members of societies with peer oversight (eg. the american college of physicians);

5-usually have to renew licensure and/or certification annually or every 5-10 years;

6- are bound to third-party, regulatory oversight (eg. OSHA regulations for hospitals and doctor's offices).

yeah, i think to co-opt the term "professional" within an unregulated profession such as adoption is a misnomer.

ETA:

also, having an MSW with no licensure  (LSW, LCSW, et al) does not equate to a professional social worker.  that's the same as a doctor attempting to practice medicine with an MD degree and no residency training or state licensure.

the degree is simply one component to becoming a professional.

also- as someone suggested, sub-specialty training is very common in most professions. yet, not among adoption social workers.

sub-specialty licensure denotes "extensive" training in a discipline. examples include: board certification in pediatrics, a school teacher licensed in health and physical education, an MSW licensed as a drug and alcohol counselor, a psychologist licensed as a s*x therapist.  the sub-specialty licensure ensures that the "professional" not only met the minimal qualifications for the profession, but the sub-specialty.

Answer 8

Some states require a Masters plus continuing education.  But it doesn't matter how educated or well trained a person is they can be just as abusive and evil as anyone else.

That is one of the areas in the system that needs reform.  There are not enough checks and balances in the system.  And there are not enough workers to do their jobs properly even if they are doing the best they can.

So the term professional isn't indicative of every single person in any profession.  Go to a bad hair stylist and pay $250 for a really crappy hair color!  Leave there and run to the nearest ER to get treated for chlorine poisoning and have some drunk doctor treat you with the wrong medication and now you aren't just hairless and poisoned, you've broken out with hives!  So you hire an attorney to sue everyone and 3 years later your attorney gives you a bill for $50,000 and says, Oops, I missed some court dates and they've thrown the case out.  It happens everywhere, not just in adoptions.  People aren't perfect.  They make mistakes.  And some are just bad people.

Answer 9

I have an MSW and I can tell you that social workers get little to no training on adoption issues.  The only way you would get any training at all is if you were lucky enough to get an internship in an adoption agency, but this would be unique.   In my two years, at a very respected social work  program, I never remember even talking about adoption let alone being taught anything about it.

Those social workers who get their 3000hours to become clinical social workers can get those hours anywhere.  So, hypothetically, you could work in addiction for 3000 hours and then move into adoption.  There are ethics that social workers follow,but the field is so broad there is no way someone can be trained for everything.  Abuses are often just lack of experience as social workers have to learn much about this on the job.

Absolutely, there should be an individual classification for adoption social workers with standards and continuing education requirements.  This would greatly improve the system. A few  fields within social work have specific licensing and accountability such as addiction counselors, and geriatric case managers.   Creating an "adoption specialist" is a great idea.