Government confirms changes to adoption process

Government confirms changes to adoption process

The government has confirmed it is to push ahead with a series of legal changes to speed up the adoption system.

In its response to the Adoption and Fostering: Tackling Delay consultation, the government has outlined measures to ensure adopters are approved more quickly and to overcome blockages in the legal system that slow the adoption process.

Changes include a two-stage approval process for adopters to ensure the majority of adopters are approved to adopt within six months. A fast-track procedure for approved foster carers and previous adopters who wish to adopt will also be introduced.

There will be a legal obligation on all adoption agencies to refer prospective adopters to the Adoption Register within three months of approval, and ensure information on children waiting to be adopted is kept up to date.

Minister for children and families Edward Timpson said prospective adopters had been dissuaded from adopting children in the past because of delays.

“So we’re overhauling the system to encourage more people to adopt, and making it swifter, more effective and robust,” said Timpson.

“The Children and Families Bill will place a new duty on local authorities to inform adopters about the support available to them.”

According to research published by the DfE in March, about 658,000 people feel they are very likely or certain to consider adopting at some point in the future, but may be put off by misconceptions about the process, including lack of support.

Source: CYPnow

Share and Enjoy:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • В закладки Google
  • Google Buzz
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • Print
  • RSS
  • Yahoo! Buzz

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


* - Required Field