Modernising adoption

Commenting in CYP Now on the adoption system, Edwina Grant OBE, Chair of the ADCS Health, Care & Additional Needs Policy Committee said:

“Over the past decade, the number of children and young people coming into care has increased significantly and the needs profile we are working with has changed, in many cases children have multiple and complex needs. Over time, the number of kinship care and special guardianship arrangements have increased which reflects the principal that wherever possible, children should be supported to live within their wider family network. This is not possible for all children and adoption remains a valuable option for securing permanence and stability for children in our care.

“Children want to understand their identity and to know where they have come from; everything we know about a child’s best interests tells us that self-identity is key. Given what we know, it is right that we consider what an adoption system for the 21st century should look like so it can best meet the needs of children, considering issues such as the continued viability of closed adoption as a default, and issues around contact. How we support children and young people to use the internet and social media to stay connected in a safe and secure way will also be key. If we are to explore more open arrangements and embrace a system that allows birth families to play a continuing role in their child’s life, we need also to consider the needs of birth families and the resources required to support them to have positive relationships with their birth children. This is an area of policy which requires both attention and national investment.”

ENDS

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