UK: If social services had previously been involved with a family?

Question

over domestic abuse, would they ever be approved to adopt, in the future (I'm assuming the situation had been resolved and the abuse was no longer continuing)?

Or would the fact that they'd had a visit from SS in the past go against them?

Answer 1

Yes, I'm sure it would and I think that that is right.

Answer 2

I think it depends on several factors.  How long ago the domestic abuse incident occurred.  How serious it was.  Is adopter the perpetrator or victim. If prospective adoptive parent is victim,have they taken steps to resolve it and are out of the situation now.  

If dealing with an agency, you might want to check out their requirements around this. as some can be more flexicle than others.

Answer 3

It would depend entirely on the circumstances.

You can still have a criminal record and adopt provided that it was some time ago and provided it was not a serious crime.  Obviously you are not talking about a criminal record, just an involvement with social services.  My advice to you would be exactly the same as I would advise anyone with something in their past that they think might be a problem and a hinderance to their adopting... just be honest.  Get everything out in the open right from the start.  

They will tell you immediately if they believe whatever you are telling them will cause problems.  They will need to check it and verify your information, but if they say it is okay then you won't have to worry about it.

You mentioned 'a visit' which doesn't sound like an ongoing serious case.  Why not email Barnardos - they are excellent at getting back to you quickly and will give you a comprehensive answer.

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/fosteringand...

Answer 4

I think that it would seriously go against them. And it should. Domestic abuse is almost never something that happens just once. It is usually a cyclical issue. Even with therapy, it often never completely stops within the family. Children can be taken away and put into foster care when subjected to witnessing domestic abuse. I wouldn't think that anyone would place a child in a family where this has been an issue in the past.

Not to mention that fostering and adoption can be very stressful and change all relationship within a family. Stress is often stated as the number one trigger of abusers.