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Mixed-race adoption policy gets new guidelines Mixed-race adoption policy gets new guidelines
(about 6 hours later)
White couples should be allowed to adopt black and ethnic minority children under new guidelines for social workers in England.White couples should be allowed to adopt black and ethnic minority children under new guidelines for social workers in England.
Local authorities will be warned not to delay placing a child with a suitable family of a different ethnicity.Local authorities will be warned not to delay placing a child with a suitable family of a different ethnicity.
Many children from ethnic minorities do not get adopted because social workers have been keen to place them with families of the same background.Many children from ethnic minorities do not get adopted because social workers have been keen to place them with families of the same background.
The move will be confirmed by Education Secretary Michael Gove on Tuesday.The move will be confirmed by Education Secretary Michael Gove on Tuesday.
Actions monitoredActions monitored
The law will not change but the new guidance will state that as long as prospective adopters show that they are able to care for the child then race should not be a factor.The law will not change but the new guidance will state that as long as prospective adopters show that they are able to care for the child then race should not be a factor.
They will also say that preventing families from adopting children of a different ethnic group is "unacceptable".They will also say that preventing families from adopting children of a different ethnic group is "unacceptable".
Each local authority will be closely monitored and those that persistently ignore the advice could have their adoption services contracted out to voluntary agencies.Each local authority will be closely monitored and those that persistently ignore the advice could have their adoption services contracted out to voluntary agencies.
Current advice states that social workers must give "due consideration to the child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background", but does not specify whether race should be regarded as outweighing other factors.Current advice states that social workers must give "due consideration to the child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background", but does not specify whether race should be regarded as outweighing other factors.
Children's minister Tim Loughton announced in November last year that the government would be updating its guidance on adoption.Children's minister Tim Loughton announced in November last year that the government would be updating its guidance on adoption.


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    • A very sensible move. It shouldn't matter what you look like, but your ability to care for a child that should determine suitability to adopt.
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    • Presumably this means that non-ethnic minority children can and will be adopted by ethnic minority families. Hopefully, this process will be monitored to ensure that racism is not affecting the equal opportunity to adopt when all the proper criteria have been met.
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