When a child is adopted, there’s an important transition period between leaving foster care and settling into their new adoptive home. This stage includes introductions, visits, and time to adjust as a family before legal permanence is confirmed through an Adoption Order. In England, around 3,000 children are adopted each year, but approximately 2.5% of placements – around 479 children – break down before the order is made. While this percentage may seem small, the emotional impact on the children and families involved is significant. Although we have some data on these disruptions, there is still little understanding of why they happen or how they are experienced. This research aims to close that gap by exploring the real stories behind pre-order disruptions through a qualitative lens.
