Illustrating political and professional issues through stories and contributions from specialist practitioners, this book offers a fully rounded picture of adoption and explores some of the myths surrounding it.

Adoption: Changing Families, Changing Times draws together contributions from all those with an interest in adoption: adopted people; birth parents and adoptive parents; practitioners and managers in the statutory and voluntary sectors; academics and policy makers. Chapters on research and policy are interspersed with those from people with first-hand experience of being adopted, becoming an adoptive parent or giving a child up for adoption. Together, they provide unique insights into a subject that although regularly in the media is often surrounded by prejudice and misconception. Topics covered include: * children and young people in care * trying to adopt * waiting for adoption * life after adoption * the politics of adoption. This accessible text offers a comprehensive view of adoption policy, practice and services and analyses why adoption has become so controversial. It provides professional and general reader alike with a fully rounded picture of adoption and exposes some of the myths surrounding it.

'One hopes that politicians, policy makers and social workers will read this volume in order to inform and ensure that adoption takes its rightful place in child care planning.' - Community Care 'The skilful and entertaining blend of the historical, political, academic and fictional will give new insights to all readers whatever their background.' - Young Minds Magazine