Forced Adoptions Support Services Scoping Study

Service provider written submission form

Background: The purpose of the scoping study is to develop options for service models that will enhance and complement the existing services to improve support for people affected by forced adoption policies and practices. The scoping study will: Map the current support available for people affected by forced adoptions; Determine how the system currently meets the needs of those affected; Identify any gaps in the service system; and Provide options for how to complement the existing services to improve the support available to those affected.

By participating in the scoping study, you have the opportunity to help inform the best way forward following the National Apology on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices.

Occupation (optional):

Organisation name (optional):

Instructions: The written submission may be completed by all staff and service providers that provide support to those affected by past adoption practices. Please send the completed form by Wednesday 18 December 2013 to the Forced Adoptions Service Providers Scoping Study team at: email: pap@aifs.gov.au post: Forced Adoption Support Services Scoping, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Level 20, 485 La Trobe St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 fax: 03 9214 7839 If you have any questions regarding the study please contact the Forced Adoptions Support Service Scoping Study team by email on pap@aifs.gov.au, or by telephone on (03) 9214 7800.

Part One: Strengths and Weaknesses

Table 1 lists some of the key needs of those affected by forced adoption policies and practices against the types of services currently available (i.e. information services; search and contact services; post adoption support services; therapeutic services; and peer support services). Based on your own knowledge and experience, please indicate in Table 1 the extent to which you believe each service type addresses the listed service and support needs of those affected by past adoption policies and practices. X = No = Yes ? = Unsure

* If you wish to differentiate between the types of people accessing the service types, please use M to indicate mothers, F to indicate fathers and A to indicate adopted individuals. Table 1
Service Type Information Services (including identifying information and access to personal records) Search and Contact Services Post Adoption Support Services Therapeutic Services Peer Support Services

Can this need be addressed? Trauma lens Grief and loss Secrecy and shame Identity, attachment, abandonment and relationships Assist with contacting family separated by adoption Information (Birth Certificates; Medical histories; hospital records etc.) that is accurate and provided in a timely and sensitive manner Affordable Accessible Diversity of support interventions Educating and raising community awareness

Part Two: Pathways to services

Part two has been designed to ascertain how the service sector views best practice in terms of an individuals pathway through the adoptions service system. I.e. For a person entering the service system, how can their journey occur most effectively? Based on your knowledge and experiences, please respond to the following tasks: 1. Please describe in a few sentences: How clients can access your organisation or be referred to your organisation. What symptoms/issues (i.e. grief, trauma, relationship, find and connect) your clients present with on first contact with your organisation. Whether and how you refer clients on to other services.

2. In Table 2, please indicate how clients you see access the following services: Please indicate a response in each box. X = No = Yes ? = Unsure * If you wish to differentiate between the types of people accessing the service types, please use M to indicate mothers, F to indicate fathers and A to indicate adopted individuals. Table 2
Service Type Information Services (including identifying information and access to personal records) This service is provided by our organisation This service is provided by another organisation that we refer clients to I am not aware that this service is available or accessible to clients I do not believe that this service is beneficial to my clients Search and Contact Services Post Adoption Support Services Therapeutic Services Peer Support Services

3. What do you think is the most effective way to meet the diverse needs of your clients throughout their journey? I.e. For different stages of an individuals journey, should particular interventions/supports occur in sequence, parallel or collaboration with other services/interventions?

4. What do you think are the main challenges/issues facing a person entering the service system?

Part Three: Good Practice Principles and Accountability

Through the lens of your own area of practice, please respond to the following: 1. What do you think are the best practice approaches to ensure service accountability?

2. Table 3 below contains the key elements of good practice that were identified in the PAE study matched against each service type. In the table, indicate the degree to which the current services/system matches what research shows are elements of good practice. Response options: indicates this is a key strength of this particular service type N/A indicates this service type meets these criteria to some degree, but improvements are needed indicates this service type does not meet indicates this element of good practice is not applicable to the service type.

* If you wish to differentiate between the types of people accessing the service types, please use M to indicate mothers, F to indicate fathers and A to indicate adopted individuals. Table 3
Information Services (including identifying information and access to personal records) Accountability Formalised complaints processes in place that are known and readily available to service users Overseen by an independent governing body (board/committee) Independent mediator facilitates searching for information and exchanging information Administrative data are recorded including referrals and service uptake Accessibility (including affordability) Identifiable staff to be point of contact Flexible hours of operation Servicing remote locations or those unable to physically access the service on site
6

Search and Contact Services

Post Adoption Support Services

Therapeutic Services

Peer Support Services

Low cost or free Timely responses to requests Ongoing counselling and support Knowledge of presenting issues and capacity to respond Well-informed staff who understand the issues associated with adoption Sensitivity to the needs of those seeking it (confidentiality, discretion, language used, etc.) All staff are trained Ongoing training/professional development opportunities are available to staff. External clinical supervision is available to staff. Diversity Options for both professional and peer supports Range of options for participation i.e. mixed, mother/adoptee-specific etc. Range of support levels (e.g., access to support persononsite and follow-up). Support, education and information for the other family members is readily available. Service Interventions Address issues associated with 5grief and loss; trauma; identity; shame; excess feelings of guilt; rejection; emotions of anger/hurt; difficulty in maintaining friendships or close relationships with family (attachment issues); anxiety; and selfconfidence problems
7

Services are tailored to relevant stage of the journey of individuals Clients expectations at commencement of support relationship are managed, particularly in relation to search and contact. Support and follow-up from the agency involved is provided on an on-going basis. Continuity of Care Service has formalised links or arrangements with other relevant services for referral or shared care arrangements where own service cant meet the presenting needs of service users. Adoption-related supports are incorporated into existing services (such as Family Support Program funded services, or Medicare-funded psychological services) Regular networking activities both within and external to adoption-specific agencies. Awareness-raising of the impacts and history of past adoptions is prioritised

Thank you for completing the written submission.

Please send the completed form by Wednesday 18 December 2013 to the Forced Adoptions Service Providers Scoping Study team at: email: pap@aifs.gov.au post: Forced Adoption Support Services Scoping, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Level 20, 485 La Trobe St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 fax: 03 9214 7839