Is there a difference between an Adoption Disruption and an Adoption Breakdown?
Yes, there is a difference between adoption disruption and adoption breakdown, although the terms are often used interchangeably.
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Adoption Disruption: This refers to the breakdown of an adoption placement before the legal adoption is finalised. The child may have already been placed with the adoptive family, but something occurs during the placement that leads to the decision to stop the adoption process. In this case, the child would return to the foster care system or another temporary arrangement (We Made a Wish)(PAC-UK).
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Adoption Breakdown: This happens after the adoption has been legally finalised. In this scenario, the child is legally part of the adoptive family, but the family is unable to continue caring for the child, often due to serious behavioral, emotional, or family issues. The child may be placed back in care, or alternative living arrangements are made, though legally they remain adopted (Adoption UK) (We Made a Wish).
The distinction primarily lies in the timing relative to the legal finalisation of the adoption. Both can be distressing for all involved, and each scenario often involves interventions like counseling, social work support, or further assessments.
