In 2009 there were approximately 2300 children who were approved for adoption and about 500 of them were black or Asian and so it is positive to hear that ministers are drawing up guidance for local authorities and adoption agencies which will reportedly say that race or cultural background should not stop children from being found a permanent home.
On average, it is reported to take two years and seven months to adopt but, worryingly, ethnic minority children are said to usually wait three times longer than white children and some are not adopted at all. Sadly, it is thought that around 20% of ethnic minority children in care never find a permanent home.
Under the current rules social workers are required to give "significant consideration" to a child's race and / or cultural background when seeking a family for a child but the view taken by ministers is that those rules are being inflexibly applied.
The children's minister, Tim Loughton, was interviewed by the Times and said that there was "no reason at all" why white couples should not adopt black, Asian or mixed-race children and that "if there are no other issues, the couple offering a permanent home should be approved even if it is not a perfect match".
The guidance which it is anticipated the Government is going to give is expected to say that "race should not be a barrier to adoption".
Adoption is without a doubt one of the most serious legal orders that the Court can make and its effects are significant. Section 67(1)(5) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 makes clear that as from the date that the child is adopted, the adopted child is to be treated in law as if they were born the child of the adopter(s). In addition, the adopter(s) is also granted Parental Responsibility for the child / children and the Parental Responsibility of the birth parent(s) or anyone else holding Parental Responsibility for the child is removed thereby ensuring that only the adopter(s) holds Parental Responsibility.
Given the serious consequences of adoption it is important that anyone involved in the process clearly understands the legalities of it. Stephens Scown has top rated family solicitors based in its offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell.
A stephens-scown.co.uk/personal-advice/6/family Family Solicitor can advise clients in a wide range of family law issues including adoption, divorce and family finance.
Its family solicitors advise on a wide range of family law issues including divorce and family finances.
No comments:
Post a Comment