Historic forced adoption - scoping study: final report

Appendix 1: Methodology

Methodology

The study had four main phases, as outlined below:

1. Inception and foundation

2. Literature review & stakeholder research

3. Fieldwork with people affected by historic forced adoption

4. Analysis and reporting

Phase 1: Inception and foundation

In initial stages, the Scottish Government and TLB study teams co-developed a research timetable and framework. This included development of a suite of research tools, including:

• Discussion guides for interviews and group discussions with stakeholders and people affected by historic forced adoption.
• Surveys for stakeholders and people affected by historic forced adoption.
• Information sheets and privacy notices for stakeholders and people with experience of historic forced adoption.

This phase also involved introductory meetings with key stakeholders including MAA Scotland, SAAM, GAP Scotland and post-adoption support services. These meetings provided an opportunity to a) explain the study, aims and methods to stakeholders and b) confirm stakeholders’ willingness to participate in the research and support the recruitment of people who have experienced historic forced adoption in Phase 3.

The research team maintained regular contact with the Scottish Government study team throughout the remaining phases to keep the Scottish Government team informed of progress.

Phase 2: Literature review and research with stakeholders

Phase 2 comprised a literature review and stakeholder interviews and survey.

Literature review

We undertook a literature review to 1) enhance our understanding of the issues that affect people who have experienced historic forced adoption and 2) identify recommendations and examples of good practice in supporting people and services available in other countries. Over 30 documents were reviewed, including articles highlighted by Scottish Government and stakeholders, and other sources identified by the TLB team through online searches. Sources reviewed include academic reports, research papers, government documents and information from campaign bodies.

Stakeholder interviews and survey

Stakeholder interviews were a crucial component of Phase 2, and 32 stakeholders took part in interviews. Interviewees include staff from post-adoption support services or organisations supporting people with experience of historic forced adoption, campaigners, social workers and academics.

To maximise the reach of the research, an online survey was distributed to over 100 contacts across all 32 local authorities in Scotland. TLB sent three reminder emails over the course of the survey, which was open for 11 weeks and, in total, we received 19 responses. Five respondents took part in follow up interviews, and these are included in the number of stakeholder interviews given above.

The stakeholder interviews and survey focused on these research questions:

• Mapping the currently available services for post-adoption support in Scotland, including reviewing service, guidelines and training materials for GPs and mental health professionals.
• Identifying services available for post-adoption support in Scotland and whether these services are available and suitable for those who have experienced historic forced adoption.
• The relative weaknesses and benefits of these services.

Phase 3: Fieldwork with people affected by historic forced adoption

The third research phase involved fieldwork with people affected by historic forced adoption, including parents and families, adoptees, and adoptive families. We explored their lived experiences, support they have accessed, any help they need but cannot access, and their views of any improvements required to support services. This phase focused on these research questions:

• The views of those with lived experience of historic forced adoption in Scotland regarding what new or additional services are needed.
• What services are available for post-adoption support in Scotland, and are these services available and suitable for those who experienced historic forced adoption?
• What are the relative weakness and benefits of these services?
• What are the self-perceived therapeutic needs of those who have experienced historic forced adoption, and how do these needs vary between parents and adoptees?
• What specific support services are required for parents and adoptees?

Various stakeholders helped publicise the study and promote participation among people with experience of historic forced adoption. We also designed a social media post to share via Twitter and LinkedIn and directly with stakeholders who helped publicise the study. Stakeholders shared this information via their social media channels and directly with people they have worked with.

We offered various means to take part so people could participate in a way that suited their preferences. The options included:

• One-to-one interviews (either in person, by telephone or online).
• Group discussions.
• A survey accessible online or in paper form, for people who might not want to discuss their relationships with an interviewer and felt more comfortable contributing in a written form.

Everyone with experience of historic forced adoption who participated in a one-to-one or group interview was offered a £40 gift voucher to thank them for their time and help. Campaigners taking part in stakeholder interviews were also offered this because they shared their personal experience and insight gained through their broader knowledge of and activity in the field.

In total, our fieldwork with people affected by historic forced adoption involved:

• Interviews with 37 people, including 14 mothers, 19 adoptees, two siblings of adoptees whose mothers had a baby removed for adoption before they were born, one sibling of a mother, and a husband of a mother.
• Survey responses from 11 adoptees, two parents and three wider family members of adopted babies.

Interviewees and survey respondents cover 17 local authority areas in Scotland, while five lived in England and three overseas.

The focus of the study is the support needs of people affected by historic forced adoption. However, interviewees shared their experiences of historic forced adoption with us. These provide important contextual information to help understand their support needs, and are summarised in detail in Chapter 2.

Many interviewees said they welcomed the opportunity to share their story and felt listened to. Indeed, some of the interviews were lengthy because people were keen to share detailed accounts of their experience.

Figure A1.1 provides details of the decades in which the adoptions involving the research participants took place.

Phase 4: Analysis and reporting

Nearly all interviews were recorded with consent and transcribed in full. In the few instances where interviews were not recorded, the interviewer took handwritten notes which were typed up.

Underpinned by a codification framework, the data was thematically analysed to inform the findings in this report. We have not attributed findings to any individuals or stakeholder groups to maintain confidentiality. Some quotes have been lightly edited for readability, clarity and to reduce any risk of the interviewee being identifiable; but no meaning has been changed.

This report sets out the findings of our analysis.