The role of HIV support workers is important in facilitating access to resources and complex systems. HIV support workers should be recognised and as they are often a trusted professional to address stigma, discrimination and barriers to services. The study contributes to research seeking to understand the emerging needs and support requirements for people living with HIV seeking fertility and adoption. Further work in this area is warranted.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose that interprofessional working between professionals who work with people living with HIV (PLWHIV) contributes to improvements in the health, social care needs and long-term outcomes of PLWHIV. Interprofessional working initiatives have been useful in promoting successful frameworks used towards improving various aspects of the HIV disease family planning and transmission prevention. The paper proposes that interprofessional working is important in elevating stigma and discrimination that sometimes prevent PLWHIV from successfully achieving parenthood through adoption. The objective of this study is to contribute to social work practice and literature that supports adoption. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study looking at the experiences of PLWHIV going through the adoption process. The study relied on in-depth interviews with six PLWHIV who had gone through the adoption process and presented views regarding a need for better collaborative working by those assessing PLWHIV going through adoption. The sample was purpose and homogeneous. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using IPA framework. Transcripts had been written up and analysed individually. Following which a cross-case analysis to create meaning and conceptual understanding that was common among all cases. Findings Drawing on themes around interprofessional working, this paper argues that there is a need for improved and transparent interprofessional working models within adoption systems. The paper provides conceptual understanding around interprofessional working and how this can be brought about to support the needs of PLWHIV seeking to adopt children. It proposes that working in isolation will leave PLWHIV feeling that the adoption process is ambiguous and unfair, yet efforts to combat this are evident in healthcare settings. Research limitations/implications Limitations to this study include an acceptable but small convenience sample within IPA methodological approaches. This is a hard to reach sample and results may not be generalisable. Practical implications This paper opens a dialogue for discussing issues around the adoption for PLWHIV and informing professionals about increasing opportunities for PLWHIV to adopt children where there is a high demand for adoptive parents. Social implications Placing the views of participants in this study within the body of knowledge could influence meaningful collaboration between adoption social workers and those supporting PLWHIV within health, social care and voluntary sectors. This may influence change and reduce stigma and barriers preventing some PLWHIV from successfully adopting children. Originality/value This paper meets an identified need to explore how PLWHIV can be supported to achieve parenthood. The paper expands on existing knowledge around the need to provide fertility treatment to PLWHIV. It suggests that child adoption can be promoted through child adoption and ultimately promoting normalcy around the desires of PLWHIV to achieve parenthood using non-traditional methods of conception.
Pursuing the adoption pathway: The lived experiences of people living with HIV This exploratory study of 7 participants including individuals and couples, examined the challenges that people with HIV faced as they navigated through the intricate processes of trying to access adoption services in the south of England. In this Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study, some participants described positive experiences with social workers. However, this was in the minority. Lack of information, inadequate support, stigma and discrimination, cultural insensitivity and disempowerment were frequently reported experiences of participants. Greater understanding and better education for social workers would enhance adoption assessment frameworks to improve access to adoption by people with HIV.
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