Content development for an operational manual for intercountry adoption social workers in South Africa

MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusIntercountry adoption has become a well-known legal placement option for adoptable children that could not be placed in permanent family care in their country of birth. Although the process is protected by robust legislation, policy and practice, it is characterised by ethical dilemmas and illicit practice. South African child protection organizations with accreditation to facilitate intercountry adoptions experience challenges in practice due to the lack of clear operational manuals and procedures. The overall aim of this study was to develop content for an operational manual for intercountry adoption social workers in South Africa. To achieve the aim of this study, the researcher made use of an explorative descriptive design. The study therefore sought to develop insight into existing national and international adoption guidelines through a critical literature review. Due to the limited research available with regards to South African specific programmes, international practice guidelines and manuals were included in the study. The findings indicated operational gaps and weaknesses in existing South African practice guidelines and also confirmed the need for an operational manual that would address the unique child protection environment of South Africa as a Sending country. The researcher also utilised focus groups that provided insight into the views of social workers and assisted in identifying operational challenges when facilitating an intercountry adoption. A focus group interview schedule focussed on the changing profile of the adoptable children and prospective adoptive parents, roles and responsibilities before, during and after the adoption process, costing and professional fees, the importance of legal compliance and therapeutic support. The sample consisted of a number of social workers, employed by an accredited child protection organisation and having a minimum of two years’ experience in the field of intercountry adoptions. The researcher analysed the transcribed data from the four focus groups to identify themes which emerged from the relevant literature. The study therefore contributes towards insight and knowledge that could assist social workers to facilitate the intercountry adoption process with ethical best practice guidelines and procedures unique to South Africa as Sending country. Recommendations on what the content of such an operational manual should include form part of the study. Chapter 1 of the dissertation focuses on the orientation of the research, which encompasses the background and aim of the research, the contextualization, the problem statement, research methodology and ethical implications. Chapter 2 contains the literature review, providing a legal and policy framework on the practice of intercountry adoption, existing guidelines and available practice manuals. This literature study focused on both international and local literature. Chapter 3 and 4 are presented in the form of two articles and form the crux of the study as the findings are critically discussed and substantiated through relevant literature. The last part of the dissertation focuses on the critical evaluation of the study, the limitations, recommendations and conclusion. The results of the study confirm the need of accredited child protection organisations, working in the field of intercountry adoptions, to have a South African unique best practice manual to assist and navigate the complex process of intercountry adoption as a placement option. Content development of such an operational manual is therefore proposed to ensure that intercountry adoptions are managed and facilitated in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner.Master