Exploring attitudes, motivations and barriers to adoption and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Exploring attitudes, motivations and barriers to adoption and fostering: a quantitative survey

Findings from a study of adults in England

14th December 2012

Objectives & Methodology

The role of this quantitative phase

• The qualitative phase of the study sought to explore and map the

barriers and triggers to fostering and adoption across a selection of targets identified in the market scoping phase; and to give input to the design of the quantitative phase

• This quantitative phase is designed to provide robust data to inform

stakeholders on potential routes to increasing the supply of adopters/foster carers

• Specifically:

– To examine the attitudinal and perceptual framework – To assess barriers, triggers and motivations – To identify segments of interest vis-à-vis potential future engagement, placement and retention

Sample and methodology

• Sample of 4,948 adults based in England
• Online survey
• Quotas imposed to deliver a nationally representative sample on

age, gender and region

• Data weighted to reflect estimated incidence of people who were (i)

adopted as a child or (ii) who are currently an approved foster carer

• Fieldwork conducted 30th November to 5th December 2012

Approach to analysis

• 4 key subgroups identified for this analysis

– Adoption: High Propensity Defined as “Certain/Very Likely” to consider adopting a child some time in the future – Adoption: Low Propensity Defined as “Fairly UNlikely” to consider adopting a child some time in the future – Fostering: High Propensity Defined as “Certain/Very Likely” to consider becoming a foster carer some time in the future – Fostering: Low Propensity Defined as “Fairly UNlikely” to consider becoming a foster carer some time in the future

Main Sections

• Propensity data
• Hotspots: indexing population segments against total sample
• Context-setting statistics
• Attitudes and perceptions
• End-benefits
• Concerns
• What people think that you think
• Family ‘configuration’ preferences
• Drivers: non-engagement vs engagement

Propensity Data

47.4 22.4 15.3 10.5 3.3 1

20 40 60 80 100

Certain NOT to Very Unlikely Fairly Unlikely Fairly Likely Very Likely Certain to

Base: All %

Adopting Foster Carer Claimed Propensity to Consider Adopting / Becoming Foster Carer

Q: “How likely are you to actually consider adopting a child / becoming a foster carer some time in the future?”

45.4 23.2 16.5 11 3 0.8

20 40 60 80 100

Certain NOT to Very Unlikely Fairly Unlikely Fairly Likely Very Likely Certain to

% Defined High Propensity Segment Defined Low Propensity segment Defined High Propensity Segment Defined Low Propensity segment

42.6 18.7 16.8 14 5.2 2.6 47.4 22.4 15.3 10.5 3.3 1

20 40 60 80 100

Certain NOT to Very Unlikely Fairly Unlikely Fairly Likely Very Likely Certain to

Baseline propensity Hypothetical: No barriers

Base: All %

Adopting Fostering Impact of Removing ‘Perceived Barriers’

Q: “In the event that the things you consider to be barriers to [adoption (within the adoption system)] / becoming a foster carer (within the fostering system}] did not exist, how likely would you be to [consider adopting a child / becoming a foster carer] some time in the future?

% +1.6% +1.8% +3.5% +1.5%

• 3.7%
• 4.8%

41.1 18.5 16.2 15.8 6 2.4 45.4 23.2 16.5 11 3 0.8

20 40 60 80 100

Certain NOT to Very Unlikely Fairly Unlikely Fairly Likely Very Likely Certain to

+1.6% +3.0% +4.8%

• 0.3%
• 4.7%
• 4.3%

Hotspots: Indexing Population Segments Against Total Sample

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100

Occupation: Social Care 1.4 65 121 236 100 Occupation: Education 7.7 78 103 118 121 Occupation: Healthcare 5.3 123 121 115 111 Occupation: Not for profit 2.6 163 104 169 135 Done voluntary work? Yes 53.5 136 112 135 119 No 46.5 59 86 60 78 Active in local community? YES 27.7 208 122 226 120 NO 72.3 59 91 52 92

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample ‘CARING’: EXPERIENCE / LINK (1)

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100

Any children in household adopted? YES

0.7 511 145 579 88

Know someone

• utside household

who has adopted? YES

35.3 138 112 125 110

Adopted as a child? YES

0.7 314 86 329 86

Know someone who is current/former foster carer? YES

31.4 125 111 166 118

Full-time carer on informal basis? YES

2.7 488 76 494 88

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample ‘CARING’: EXPERIENCE / LINK (2)

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100

Male 49.0 106 98 102 86 Female 51.0 94 102 98 114 18-24 yrs 15.1 162 148 143 122 25-34 yrs 22.8 174 160 170 129 35-44 yrs 24.0 88 98 90 117 45-54 yrs 21.7 54 67 53 88 55-65 yrs 16.4 18 20 40 32

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample GENDER; AGE

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Married

45.8 108 83 107 92

Divorced

8.0 51 73 74 98

Widowed

1.1 36 100 73

Never married

39.1 101 127 86 113

Civil P’ship

2.9 177 124 269 93

Separated

1.9 72 68 116 68

(Non-married) Enduring Relationship? Yes

33.7 120 118 124 109

No

64.5 88 90 85 96

Heterosexual

92.4 94 99 97 100

Gay/Lesbian

2.5 200 84 160 40

Bisexual

2.6 242 127 165 115

Transgender/ Transsexual

0.1 100 300 100 400

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample MARITAL STATUS; RELATIONSHIPS

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Work Full-Time

43.9 128 114 125 104

Part-Time

15.2 76 100 109 122

FT Homemaker

4.8 44 81 106 127

FT Student

7.4 135 162 123 124

Self employed

6.5 83 97 25 132

Not working Carer resp.

3.2 75 75 69 81

Not working Retired

6.9 14 17 23 7

Not Working Disability/Illness

6.2 63 79 89 60

Unemployed

5.8 128 69 59 84

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample WORKING STATUS

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100

Buddhism 0.8 138 63 63 100 Christianity 50.6 101 99 115 101 Hinduism 1.1 327 118 345 127 Islam 2.6 431 108 412 108 Judaism 0.8 63 100 163 Sikhism 0.3 233 200 33 133 Non-religious 37.4 69 103 58 97 Actively practising a religion? YES 30.9 179 107 186 102 NO 66.0 57 97 56 100

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample RELIGION

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Owner occupied

58.7 73 91 80 96

Private rental

22.0 157 128 125 120

Rental (HA or Local Authority)

17.1 118 93 137 89

Gross H/Hold Income: <£18.5K

24.9 145 88 91 93

£18.5K - £21K

7.1 103 86 128 101

£21K - £30K

19.7 118 102 121 99

£30K - £40K

13.9 95 101 129 114

> £40K

24.2 95 116 89 103

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample HOUSING TENURE; HOUSEHOLD INCOME

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Higher managerial

6.9 201 113 177 99

Intermediate managerial

24.3 99 107 113 109

Supervisory/clerical

• jnr. Management

29.7 81 102 79 106

Skilled manual

15.6 103 112 119 107

Semi-skilled / unskilled manual

12.6 108 98 99 102

Senior citizen / welfare dependent

10.9 77 59 53 53

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP

TOTAL SAMPLE % Segment = Adoption: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment= Adoption: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: High Propensity INDEXED TO 100 Segment = Fostering: Low Propensity INDEXED TO 100 East Anglia

11.4 69 91 64 90

East Midlands

8.5 100 92 78 96

London

15.1 171 121 155 113

North

10.1 74 91 83 100

North East

5.0 100 84 110 96

North West

13.5 120 108 119 101

South East

15.7 70 91 78 94

South West

10.1 67 110 88 105

West Midlands

10.5 109 97 111 100

Propensity by Subgroup: Indexed Against Total Sample REGION

Some Context-Setting Statistics

22.1 51 68 6 31.6 24.6

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes, definitely No, never

Total sample Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity

Re: Adopting a Child

Base: All

This question estimates the proportion of the population for whom the individual subjects of adopting and fostering have ever ‘crossed their minds’. It provides a basic estimate of ‘back-

• f-mind’ salience

Q: “Has the subject of adopting / fostering a child ever been something that you have thought about, regardless of whether or not it is of relevance or interest to you?”

%

17.7 55 66.8 6 25 27.4

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes, definitely No, never

Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

Re: Fostering

1.5 23.7 17.2 6 0.8 29.5

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Very often Rarely / Never

Total sample Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity

Re: Adopting a Child

Base: All

Q: “Nowadays, how often would you say you think about the subject of adopting a child / foster care (for whatever reason)?”

%

1.6 18.7 18.9 5.3 1 26.1

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Very often Rarely / Never

Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

Re: Fostering

The 2 core subjects have low ‘front-of-mind’ salience, although encouragingly, there is significantly stronger salience among the High Propensity segment.

0.7 99.3 2.2 97.8 0.6 99.4

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

Total sample Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity

Base: All

Q: “Were you adopted as a child?”

%

Equates to c. 230,000 people saying they were adopted and c.65,000 saying they are approved foster carer

0.2 99.8 100 100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

Q: “Are you currently a foster carer?”

13.4 86.6 23.6 76.4 18 82

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

Total sample Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity

Base: All

Q: “Do you have any brother, sisters, relatives

• r friends that were adopted as kids?”

%

8.2 91.8 19.1 80.9 9.5 90.5

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: High Propensity

Q: “Have any brothers, sisters relatives or friends

• f yours ever spent any time in foster care?”

1.6 98.4 7.8 92.2 1.2 98.8

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

Total sample Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity

Base: All

Q: “Are you currently or formerly the full-time carer, on an informal basis, for a child that is not one of your own children (e.g. a child of a relative or friend)?”

%

1.6 98.4 7.9 92.1 1.4 98.6

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Yes No

Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

By Adoption Subgroups By Fostering Subgroups

Attitudes and Perceptions

• Perceived End-Benefits
• Concerns
• What People ‘Think that you Think’

70 72 76 79 80 82

20 40 60 80 100

Good way for childless couples to start a family Alternative for those for whom pregnancy = potential health risk Prevents a child living in an unsuitable household Good alternative for people that have problems conceiving naturally Helps reduce number of unwanted children Provides emotional benefits for a child in need

Base: All

% very/ fairly strongly associating given factor with adopting a child

Top 6 factors most widely associated with adopting a child

31 41 47 48 48 51

20 40 60 80 100

An alternative for those who have fear of labour pains / pregnancy A way for people who are single to become a parent A way for gay people to have children Makes sense for those that already have a family member that has been adopted Good way to expand a family It's about giving something back to the community

Next 6 factors

% very/ fairly strongly associating given factor with adopting a child

• 3 of the top 4 factors underpinned by altruistic motivation
• Remainder inwardly directed
• Just 1 of these factors has altruistic focus.
• Remainder more focused on personal

rationale / end-benefit

ADOPTING: Hierarchy of Perceived End-Benefits: Total Sample

Q: “Thinking about how you view adoption of children in general, please indicate how strongly you associate each of the following factors with the process of adoption”

8 8 9 7 7 7 8 7 7 3 3 6

20 40 60 80 100

Good way for childless couples to start a family Alternative for those for whom pregnancy = potential health risk Prevents a child living in an unsuitable household Good alternative for people that have problems conceiving naturally Helps reduce number of unwanted children Provides emotional benefits for a child in need Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity

Base: All

% Difference (Subgroup - Total Sample) 5 8 10 6 10 7 24 26 19 18 28 17

20 40 60 80 100

An alternative for those who have fear of labour pains / pregnancy A way for people who are single to become a parent A way for gay people to have children Makes sense for those that already have a family member that has been adopted Good way to expand a family It's about giving something back to the community

While both High and Low Propensity subgroups exhibit relatively small ‘premium’ relative to total sample for the top 6 factors… . … there is a far greater degree of disparity for the factors lower down the hierarchy (which tend to focus more on the personal rationale / end-benefits)

ADOPTING: Hierarchy of Perceived End-Benefits: Subgroups vs Total Sample

% Difference (Subgroup – Total Sample)

72 74 77 77 78 80

20 40 60 80 100

Good option for people whose children have left home - but who want to contunue caring Good option for those who have previous expreince caring for children Prevents a child living in unsuitable household Ensures all children can have a stable/loving home Good option for those who enjoy caring for children Provides emotional benefits for a child in need

Base: All

% very/ fairly strongly associating given factor with fostering a child

Top 6 factors most widely associated with fostering a child Next 6 factors

FOSTERING: Hierarchy of Perceived End-Benefits: Total Sample

40 45 50 56 58 63

20 40 60 80 100

Good way to expand a family Makes sense for those who have 1+ brothers or sisters that were in foster care Alternative for those for whom pregnancy is potential health risk Good alternative for people with problems conceiving naturally Good way for childless couples to have children at home Is about giving back something to the community % very/ fairly strongly associating given factor with fostering a child

Q: “Thinking about foster care in general, please indicate how strongly you associate each of the following factors with fostering””

As with Adoption, 3 of the top 4 have altruistic leaning Factors lower down the hierarchy focused

• n personal rationale / end-benefit

Base: All

FOSTERING: Hierarchy of Perceived End-Benefits: Subgroups vs Total Sample

8 8 9 11 9 8 13 8 8 9 5 5

20 40 60 80 100

Good option for people whose children have left home - but who want to contunue caring Good option for those who have previous expreince caring for children Prevents a child living in unsuitable household Ensures all children can have a stable/loving home Good option for those who enjoy caring for children Provides emotional benefits for a child in need

Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

5 5 5 6 6 9 23 23 19 17 13 12

20 40 60 80 100

Good way to expand a family Makes sense for those who have 1+ brothers or sisters that were in foster care Alternative for those for whom pregnancy is potential health risk Good alternative for people with problems conceiving naturally Good way for childless couples to have children at home Is about giving back something to the community % Difference (Subgroup -Total Sample) % Difference (Subgroup - Total Sample)

Again, High and Low Propensity segments show relatively small ‘premium’ relative to total sample …. … and again, the greatest degree of disparity applies to factors which are lower down the hierarchy and also focus more on personal rationale / end-benefit

60 60 60 63 63 63 66 68 72

20 40 60 80 100

Level of scrutiny from social services Concerns re: confidentiality Fear of not being approved by the adoption agency Worries about the process of adoption Worries about the adoption itself How it might affect relationship with partner How it might affect relationship with children already have That adopted children may have had a difficult start in life Fear that you won't be accepted by child you adopt

Base: All

% very/ fairly relevant re: consideration

• f adopting

Top 9 factors: most widely considered to be relevant

44 50 50 52 52

20 40 60 80 100

Whether you get financial support from State Whether family / friends supportive through adoption process Whether family / friends supportive once child adopted Whether it will adversely affect my financial situation Whether you get non-financial supoort both now and future

ADOPTING: Hierarchy of Concerns: Total Sample

Q: “How relevant would you consider each of these factors to be in potentially considering adopting a child?”

% very/ fairly relevant re: consideration

• f adopting

Next 5 factors

The most widespread concerns centre on potential detrimental impact on existing relationships, but also highlight reticence re: the ‘process’; and ‘fear of failure’ Main focus here is on financial implications and possible personal doubts about ‘staying the course’

Base: All

ADOPTING: Hierarchy of Concerns: Subgroups vs Total Sample

% Difference (Subgroup - Total Sample)

4 4 7 8 6 3 1 5 7 6 7 10 8 2

• 5
• 5

4

• 2
• 10

10 30 50 70 90

Level of scrutiny from social services Concerns re: confidentiality Fear of not being approved by the adoption agency Worries about the process of adoption Worries about the adoption itself How it might affect relationship with partner How it might affect relationship with children already have That adopted children may have had a difficult start in life Fear that you won't be accepted by child you adopt

Adoption: High Propensity Adoption: Low Propensity 7 3 4 7 10 10 8 4 10 11

20 40 60 80 100

Whether you get financial support from State Whether family / friends supportive through adoption process Whether family / friends supportive

• nce child

adopted Whether it will adversely affect my financial situation Whether you get non-financial supoort both now and future

% Difference (Subgroup - Total Sample)

Fairly modest variations across the core subgroups Nevertheless, both the High and Low Propensity segments proportionately more likely than people as a whole to attribute relevance to virtually all of these issues

59 59 59 61 63 66 67 69

20 40 60 80 100

Concerns re: confidentiality Level of scrutiny from social services Worries about process of being approved How it might affect relationship with partner How it might affect relationships with kids already have Worries about the experience of fostering itself Whether I have time to be a foster carer Fear of not being accepted by child you foster

Base: All

% very/ fairly relevant re: consideration

• f fostering

Top 8 factors: most widely considered to be relevant

46 52 54 55 55

20 40 60 80 100

Whether family / friends will support me fostering Whether you get financial support from State Whether it might adversely affect my financial situation Whether you get non-financial support Fear of not being approved by agency

FOSTERING: Hierarchy of Concerns: Total Sample

% very/ fairly relevant re: consideration

• f fostering

Next 5 factors

Q: “How relevant would you consider each of these factors to be in potentially considering becoming a foster carer?”

Similar profile to Adopting

Base: All

FOSTERING: Hierarchy of Concerns: Subgroups vs Total Sample

% Difference (Subgroup - Total Sample) % Difference (Subgroup - Total Sample) 4 5 9 6 5 9 9 10 12 12 20 2 7 8 6 7

20 40 60 80 100

Concerns re: confidentiality Level of scrutiny from social services Worries about process of being approved How it might affect relationship with partner How it might affect relationships with kids already have Worries about the experience of fostering itself Whether I have time to be a foster carer Fear of not being accepted by child you foster

Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity 6 8 6 9 9 11 18 14 13 23

20 40 60 80 100

Whether family / friends will support me fostering Whether you get financial support from State Whether it might adversely affect my financial situation Whether you get non-financial support Fear of not being approved by agency

Variance to total sample within High Propensity segment more marked here than for corresponding distribution for Adopting Fears relating to the ‘process’ and ‘acceptance’ particularly prominent

32 45 60 58 62 64 68 70 72 72 25 47 48 43 47 47 49 54 54 54 31 42 51 51 55 60 63 64 65 65

20 40 60 80 100

Having birth children Having experience as volunteer Owning own home Financially well-off Married Have carer experience Have special needs carer experience Already adopted a child Foster care experience Sufficient spare space at home

Base: All

Difference between % who think Local Authorities/ Agencies view the factor favourably and % who believe Local Authorities/Agencies view it unfavourably

ADOPTING: Perception of Authorities’ Mindset (1)

Q: “When local authorities and adoption agencies are considering the suitability of a prospective adoptive parent, which of the following factors do you believe are looked upon favourably, which ones are looked upon unfavourably, and which are not particularly relevant in terms of influencing the process?

Top 10 (By Variance relative to total sample)

1 6 3 7 11 19 14 32 35

• 2

19 9 13 16 13 10 34 42 3 5 8 9 15 18 25 30

• 5

15 35 55 75 95

Co-habiting Work Full-Time Live in urban area Undergone fertility treatment Live in rural area Work Part-Time Aged < 30 yrs GCSEs / O Levels Higher education qualifications

Total sample Adopting: High Propensity Adopting: Low Propensity

Positions 11 - 19

Difference between % who think Local Authorities/ Agencies view the factor favourably and % who believe Local Authorities/Agencies view it unfavourably

• 79
• 75
• 69
• 65
• 55
• 55
• 48
• 45
• 36
• 20
• 16
• 54
• 46
• 47
• 45
• 35
• 37
• 35
• 28
• 29
• 14
• 6
• 71
• 70
• 65
• 56
• 53
• 49
• 46
• 41
• 34
• 21
• 14
• 100
• 80
• 60
• 40
• 20

Total sample Adopting: High Propensity Adopting: Low Propensity Base: All

Difference between % who think Local Authorities/ Agencies view the factor favourably and % who believe Local Authorities/Agencies view it unfavourably

Positions 20 - 30

Criminal conviction Same sex relationship / civil partnership LGBT Divorced Single Overweight Little / no experience with children Aged > 50 yrs Unemployed Smoker In poor health

ADOPTING: Perception of Authorities’ Mindset (2)

37 48 52 49 55 60 74 73 74 73 34 43 46 40 43 48 54 49 49 55 36 47 47 47 54 57 65 66 66 69

20 40 60 80 100

Having birth children Voluntary experienceq Owning own home Financially well-off Married Already adopted a child Experience as special needs carer Experience as carer Spare bedroom Already fostered a child Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

Base: All

Difference between % who think Local Authorities/ Agencies view the factor favourably and % who believe Local Authorities/Agencies view it unfavourably

Top 10 (By Variance relative to total sample)

4 1 6 9 8 19 29 31 4 8 9 10 12 21 20 28 1 3 7 9 13 16 23 27

20 40 60 80 100

Co-habiting Undergone fertility treatment Urban area Rural area Aged < 30 yrs Work Part-Time GCSEs / O Levels Higher education qualifications

Positions 11 - 18

Difference between % who think Local Authorities/ Agencies view the factor favourably and % who believe Local Authorities/Agencies view it unfavourably

FOSTERING: Perception of Authorities’ Mindset (1)

Q: “When local authorities and adoption agencies are considering the suitability of a prospective foster carer, which of the following factors do you believe are looked upon favourably, which ones are looked upon unfavourably, and which are not particularly relevant in terms of influencing the process?

• 76
• 79
• 70
• 62
• 58
• 46
• 42
• 37
• 31
• 19
• 15
• 2
• 56
• 52
• 44
• 37
• 38
• 29
• 26
• 20
• 24
• 18
• 9
• 3
• 70
• 69
• 63
• 53
• 51
• 44
• 41
• 36
• 31
• 20
• 14
• 8
• 100
• 80
• 60
• 40
• 20

Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity Base: All

Difference between % who think Local Authorities/ Agencies view the factor favourably and % who believe Local Authorities/Agencies view it unfavourably

Positions 19 - 30

In poor health Working Full-Time Same sex relationship / civil partnership LGBT Divorced Single Aged > 50 yrs Overweight Unemployed Little or no experience with children Smoker Criminal conviction

FOSTERING: Perception of Authorities’ Mindset (2)

Family ‘Configuration’ Preferences

49 25 26 52 31 17 52 19 29

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

1 Child More than one Don’t know

Propensity = Certain Propensity = Very Likely Propensity = Fairly Likely

Base: Propensity = Certain/Very Likely/Fairly Likely %

Preference: Single Child vs 2+ Children

Q: “On balance, would you be more likely to consider adopting / fostering one child at a time or more than one?

Adopting

51 28 21 48 34 18 47 24 29

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

1 Child More than one Don’t know

Propensity = Certain Propensity = Very Likely Propensity = Fairly Likely

%

Fostering

55 53 30 23 12 44 60 31 10 17 54 52 30 14 16

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

< 2 yrs 2-5 yrs 6-11 yrs 12-17 yrs Don't know

Propensity = Certain Propensity = Very Likely Propensity = Fairly Likely

Base: Propensity = Certain/Very Likely/Fairly Likely %

Adopting

43 58 33 23 18 42 62 46 24 11 44 56 47 21 21

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

< 2 yrs 2-5 yrs 6-11 yrs 12-17 yrs Don't know

Propensity = Certain Propensity = Very Likely Propensity = Fairly Likely

%

Fostering Preferred Age of Child(ren)

Q: “If you were considering adopting a child / becoming a foster carer, which age(s) of child would you be most likely to consider?”

Base: Propensity = Certain/Very Likely/Fairly Likely %

6 12 45 69 47 9 17 38 56 44

20 40 60 80 100

Don't know Not aware there were different types of fostering Respite Placements (foster carer cares for child for short period e.g. weekend, to give child's regular carer a break) Long Term Placement (intention is for child to remain with their foster carer(s) until they reach adulthood Short-Term Placements (Child is placed for a limited period e.g. until they either return home or are adopted) Propensity = Any Likely Propensity = Certain / Very Likely

Foster Placement Alternatives - Preference

Q: “Which of these types of fostering might you be interested in?”

Drivers: Non-Engagement vs Engagement

Base: Propensity = Certain not to/Very Unlikely/Fairly Unlikely % 3 4 11 13 9 10 10 8 8 21 24 19 18 16 15 9 3 4 5 7 7 8 11 11 11 14 14 15 18 22 29 33

10 20 30 40 50

Divorced I am overweight Concerned re: lack of support Never the right time I am a smoker I am unemployed Partner not interested Poor health Not fair to my kids Could not afford to give up work Difficult process to go through I am single Lack of space at home Already have birth children Too old Just not interested Any Unlikely Fairly Unlikely

Reasons for Non-Engagement

Q: “What are your main reasons for saying you are [unlikely] to consider adopting a child / becoming a foster carer some time in the future?”

Adopting

% 4 5 13 13 10 10 7 13 16 26 18 16 28 30 13 9 3 5 7 8 8 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 18 22 25 35

10 20 30 40 50

Divorced Overweight Concerned re: lack of support Never the right time Unemployed Smoker Poor health Partner not interested Not fair to my kids Difficult process to go through Single Already have birth children Could not afford to give up work Lack of space at home Too old Just not interested

Fostering

Base: All % 25 27 35 37 41 37 21 30 27 52 56 43 59 6 14 15 19 20 21 21 57

20 40 60 80 100

Clearer info on what kind of children are put up for adoption Clearer info on what non-financial support is provided to help parents carry out their role Clearer info on how the application process works Clearer understanding of what adoption services are looking for from potential parents Better financial support Making the process of applying simpler Nothing would encourage me

Total sample Adopting: High Propensity Adopting: Low Propensity

Potential Drivers of Engagement

Q: “Which of these things, if any, might encourage you to consider adopting a child / becoming a foster carer some time in the future?”

Adopting

%

Fostering

32 34 33 35 41 41 19 38 29 56 50 41 58 4 16 17 19 20 21 22 57

20 40 60 80 100

Clearer info on what non-financial support is provided to help parents carry out their role Clearer info on what kind of children are put up for fostering Clearer info on how the application process works Making the process of applying simpler Better financial support Clearer understanding of what fostering services are looking for from potential parents Nothing would encourage me Total sample Fostering: High Propensity Fostering: Low Propensity

Marketing proposals

Marketing objectives One-off increase in adopters and foster carers Increase ongoing supply of adopters and foster carers

Communications objectives

• Increase base level understanding of adoption and fostering
• Address the attitudinal barriers preventing engagement in adoption and fostering,

including: – Perceptions of what they involve – Perceptions of how adoption and foster care agencies operate – Perceptions of the type of person who adopts or becomes a foster carer

• Make both the rational and emotional argument for undertaking adoption and

fostering

• Communicate both the inner-directed and outward-directed benefits of undertaking

adoption and fostering

Over-represented groups (relative to total sample)

Peopl ple wi with pe h persona nal e expe perience o

• f the

he car are s sector People liv living in g in Lo London Peo People a aged ed 1 18-35 35 Relig ligious c communiti ties Peopl ple who who ar are lesbi bian, g gay, ay, bi bisexual o

• r trans

ansgend nder

Adoption Fostering

Peopl ple ac active i in n the heir l local c communi mmunity and y and vo volun unteers Peopl ple wi with pe h persona nal e expe perience o

• f ado

adopt ption/ n/fostering ng Peopl ple who who ar are pr priva vately r y rent nting ng Full ll-time wo workers and and stude udents Peopl ple i in n endur nduring ng r relationshi hips ps Peopl ple i in n hi highe her manag managerial jobs bs

Discussion and next steps