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| Mixed-race adoption policy gets new guidelines | Mixed-race adoption policy gets new guidelines |
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| 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 monitored | Actions 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. |
| Currently, single people, married couples and cohabiting couples can all adopt. | Currently, single people, married couples and cohabiting couples can all adopt. |
| Same sex couples can adopt in England, Wales and Scotland, but not in Northern Ireland. | Same sex couples can adopt in England, Wales and Scotland, but not in Northern Ireland. |
| Adopters in England and Wales must be aged over 21 (18 if one of a couple is the birth parent). There is no upper age limit, but the placing authority must be confident anyone adopting a child will have the energy required and be in good enough health to offer a stable home. | Adopters in England and Wales must be aged over 21 (18 if one of a couple is the birth parent). There is no upper age limit, but the placing authority must be confident anyone adopting a child will have the energy required and be in good enough health to offer a stable home. |
| Likewise, if they can prove they have the energy, people will not be disqualified for being disabled, overweight or having a medical condition. | Likewise, if they can prove they have the energy, people will not be disqualified for being disabled, overweight or having a medical condition. |
| People must also show that the can financially support a child. | People must also show that the can financially support a child. |
| A criminal record will not automatically prevent someone from adopting unless they, or someone in their household, has been convicted or cautioned for offences against a child. | A criminal record will not automatically prevent someone from adopting unless they, or someone in their household, has been convicted or cautioned for offences against a child. |
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| I agree with the comments about this having a racist bias in the way that it talks about white couples and mixed race children (and not the other way round). I do understand that there are more available "white" couples than there are "ethic minotity" couples. | |
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| How is this article racist? The whole adoption process should be 'colour-blind', ignoring the ethnic background of potential guardians. I find it appalling and dangerous that anyone can label a young child as already possessing a ‘racial’ identity, a child is a child for crying out loud!The only concern of the adoption agencies should be the placing of children with caring guardians. | |
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| "White couples should be allowed to adopt black and ethnic minority children under new guidelines for social workers in England."Are the "black and ethnic minority" couples to be allowed to adopt white children? If so, what about changing the paragraph to reflect that fact? | "White couples should be allowed to adopt black and ethnic minority children under new guidelines for social workers in England."Are the "black and ethnic minority" couples to be allowed to adopt white children? If so, what about changing the paragraph to reflect that fact? |
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| This article has been written with racist connotations - very poor journalism. The text of the article explains that race should not be considered an issue when adopting yet it starts "white couples". Can you send your journalists on some proper courses please? | This article has been written with racist connotations - very poor journalism. The text of the article explains that race should not be considered an issue when adopting yet it starts "white couples". Can you send your journalists on some proper courses please? |
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| All local authorities must give due consideration to the child's racial origin, but this does not imply that they must delay linking an ethnic-minority child until prospective adopters of the same ethnicity become available. Those who can demonstrate their ability (and willingness) to care for that child will be considered, regardless of their ethnicity. The new guidance makes this clearer. | All local authorities must give due consideration to the child's racial origin, but this does not imply that they must delay linking an ethnic-minority child until prospective adopters of the same ethnicity become available. Those who can demonstrate their ability (and willingness) to care for that child will be considered, regardless of their ethnicity. The new guidance makes this clearer. |
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