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| Mixed-race adoption policy gets new guidelines | Mixed-race adoption policy gets new guidelines |
| (40 minutes 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 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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| The ability to give a child a good home and upbringing should outweigh ethnic issues Unfortunately though, there is a stigma attached which I think is awful in any society. Being of a different ethnic group than your parents is like wearing an “adopted” badge. ThIs should not matter but it does. Can this give a child problems? Is this an issue? I wish it wasn’t | |
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| About time too. A couple of years ago, Friends of mine were in the process of adopting children. A potential match was found in two half-sisters, one of whom was white and the other of mixed heritage. Because my friends were white, the authority wouldn't place the girls with them - and adopted them separately. The race issue was considered more important than their family bond, which is tragic. | |
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| The Race Equality Inspector, absurdly, is totally out of touch. I'm a 35 year old British Asian adopted by white parents and had the perfect upbringing, but for antiquated the Social Services. To hell with 'difficulties with racial profiling'. And, "inciting racial hatred'? All, utter, nonsense. | |
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| Re: #11Save your political prejudice - I'd say that the right victimises and divides!I'm a 'lefty' - I even regard the current 'Labour' party as right-wing -But I agree with the hard-right Conservatives on this - it is the first bit of socially responsible policy they have enacted in this government. | |
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| I do not think that the race issue should be completely ignored when placing children with another race. British mix raced children have two heritages they have a right to know about. If the family can demonstrate a willingness to research the childs heritage and share it with them as well as learning to care for their different needs eg Afro hair , then the race of the parents is less relevant | |
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