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Description
The project focuses on the processes that exist for the realization of an intercountry adoption. The Statistical Service, while it has information on adoptions (last figures of 2017), has no specific information on intercountry adoptions. The study proposed today aims to study the intercountry adoptions made in Greece by the Law Entities, among them the International Social Service - Hellenic Branch.
The purpose of the study is to examine the processes of intercountry adoption, with the contribution of adoptive parents, who have the personal experience, and of social workers of the Regions and of the International Social Service, who have the role and jurisdiction to evaluate prospective adoptive parents.
The actions to be undertaken are initially the study, which will be completed by analysing the quantitative and qualitative data gathered. On the basis of the analysis and the conclusions that will be drawn, proposals will be developed and submitted to the competent services. The processing of the results and the development of proposals will be done in collaboration with a group of adoptive parents at a special meeting. For the same reason, two workshops will take place (one in Athens and one in Thessaloniki), a round table discussion where experts, decision makers and representatives of Bodies and Services will be invited to express views and suggestions. Additionally, there will be publications in scientific journals as well as a good practice guide for prospective adoptive parents and professionals.
The aim is to suggest legislative amendments in order to assist prospective adoptive parents in the adoption process which at the moment is particularly lengthy and complex.
Summary of project results
The main activity of the project involved conducting a research entitled: “ Practices and perspectives on intercountry adoptions”. The research was carried out using questionnaires addressed both to adoptive parents who have already adopted children transnationally and to professionals working in the competent authorities in the field of intercountry adoptions in Greece.
The research highlighted important issues in the field regarding:
The need of prospective adoptive parents to be more informed
The need of professionals for further education
The differences in the evaluation process of the prospective adoptive parents
The challenges faced by adoptive parents during the process
Issues of diversity and how these issues affect the adoption of the child
The need to strengthen the parental counseling after the completion of the adoption
The research also resulted in a series of proposals, including the need:
-for the implementation of law 4538/2018 in intercountry adoptions. The implementation of the above mentioned law can lead to the creation of a complete specialized training program for both Social Workers and parents.
-that cases of intercountry adoptions to be taken over only by Social Workers specialized in intercountry adoptions.
-for provision of systematic supervision to Social Workers working on intercountry adoptions cases.
-for the creation of a counseling program for adoptive parents on an ongoing basis (before and after the completion of the adoption).
-for counseling provided to adoptive parents on attitudes, perceptions and other issues related to interculturalism.
-for awareness and education of key community factors regarding intercountry adoptions, inclusion and acceptance of diversity.
-for the creation of a Good Practices Guide.
-of the existence of a specialized counseling institute for adoptive parents.
-for the enhancement of other NGOs to become more active, both in Greece and abroad.
-of ensuring the non-profit nature of the provision of the services.