While all efforts should be made to avoid a disruption, it is important to recognize when the removal of the child is not only inevitable but necessary. Because of the Department's strong desire to make the placement work, workers may be prone to attempt to maintain the placement beyond the point where it should have ended, causing unnecessary hardships to both child and family.

At the same time, while disruption should be discussed with the family as an option, workers should not assume that the adoptive parents are wavering in their commitment when they seek help for the child or admit to having problems with him.

Once the decision has been made to terminate the placement, it is important to determine as quickly as possible what the next placement will be for the child.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to return the child to his former foster home, while in other cases this may be viewed by the child as a step backward.

For some children, a neutral setting, such as the State Receiving Home, where they will not have to form new parental relationships for a while, may be beneficial and will provide evaluations of the child's present emotional health.

For others, a period of time in a residential placement setting may be necessary.

A disruption meeting chaired by members of the Adoption Resource Exchange should be held and will include as many people involved with the child as possible. The purposes of the meeting are to

•help the child's present and future needs

•support the family in recovering from the disruption

•improve practice, and

•demonstrate that the disruption is most likely the result of multiple factors, not the fault of any one person.