Support for an adoptive family with a disabled child ─ examples of foreign solutions

• Authors: Zamkowska, Anna

Abstracts

EN

The aim of the paper is to present comprehensive and innovative solutions used in the UK and the Flemish part of Belgium in the support of families adopting a child with disabilities. The material was collected on the basis of in-depth interviews conducted with Dr Lucille Allain from Middlesex University (UK) and Dr Prakash Goossens from Fracarita International, study visits, as well as analysis of documents available in the informational materials of ministries and non-governmental organizations. The tendencies present in the practice of both countries and selected forms of support, such as adoption leave with remuneration, financial assistance, accommodation adjustment, provision of care and therapy and help in becoming independent provided directly to people with disabilities were described. The analysis of the examples of both countries shows that families who have adopted disabled children can benefit from the privileges and allowances available for families with a disabled child (e.g. allowance for disabled persons, care allowance) and additional benefits resulting from the adoption of a child (e.g. adoption leave, Adoption Support Fund). In both countries, comprehensive and personalized solutions are implemented, including health, care, educational and therapeutic services, planned based on a multidisciplinary diagnosis. In addition, non-governmental and private organizations, apart from the state institutions, are systemically included in implementation of these solutions. In both countries, a number of practical solutions (e.g. personal budget) have been adopted to empower people with disabilities and their independent living in the local environment, ensuring, if needed, provision of the individualized support.

Keywords

EN

adoptive family; child with disabilities; United Kingdom; Belgium

• Publisher: Akademia Pedagogiki Specjalnej im. Marii Grzegorzewskiej. Wydawnictwo APS
• Journal: Problemy Opiekuńczo-Wychowawcze
• Year: 2019
• Volume: 581(6)
• Pages: 14-26

Dates

published

2019-08-27

Contributors

author

Zamkowska, Anna

Identifiers

DOI

10.5604/01.3001.0013.3742