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Government announces new blueprint for adoption (29 March 2016)

Date: 29/03/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Government announces new blueprint for adoption

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has announced a new blueprint for adoption, which will see more children placed in stable homes, by ensuring adoption is always pursued where it is in a child’s best interest.

The new four-year strategy aims to transform the life chances of children who spend up to 18 months in care waiting to be adopted – one-tenth of their childhood.

The announcement comes just months after intervention by the Prime Minister, when he announced new measures to double the number of children placed with their adoptive family sooner, halving the time they spend in care.

The new strategy – the first in a number of announcements that will revolutionise support for the most vulnerable children in our society – explicitly sets out for the first time how a system where all children are matched with adoptive parents without delay and free from council red tape will be delivered.

The plan also includes a new drive to boost the educational success of adopted children – for the first time ever, every single child adopted from care will have a designated teacher and “virtual school head”, who will provide tailored support to help children overcome trauma and give adopted children the best possible education.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan called the strategy “a watershed moment”.

“For the first time ever, we are explicitly setting out how we will transform the lives of our most vulnerable children, by making sure they get the opportunities they deserve,” the Education Secretary said.

“We cannot stand by while children spend months in care waiting for their new family, when loving parents are available.

“We cannot preside over a situation where adopted children are less likely to do well at school than their classmates – and we mustn’t fail to take action against stifling red tape that stops councils from matching children with the families that are right for them.

“This radical new vision will make sure decisions rightly prioritise children’s long-term stability and happiness, so that children are placed with their new family as quickly as possible – helping them fulfil their potential and get the very best start in life.”

Reforms introduced by the government have resulted in more than 5,300 children being adopted in 2015 – an increase of 72% compared with 2011.

However, during the last two years, figures show the number of decisions for adoption has almost halved – meaning children who would benefit from a permanent home are missing out.

The government says its plan involves a commitment to change the law at the earliest possible opportunity, to make it clear that councils and courts must always pursue adoption when it is in a child’s best interest, rather place a child than with a series of short-term carers.

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