This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/education-12513403
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Comments | Comments |
| You are not currently signed in. Sign in or register. | You are not currently signed in. Sign in or register. |
|
|
| U3708291 has missed the point we wouldn'tbe hahaving this discussion if enough ethic couple adopted children | |
| href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=106546444&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment | |
| title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this | |
| | |
| Race should never be a factor in adoption. As long as a family can provide a loving and nurturing environment for the child, then that should be all that matters. | |
| href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=106546035&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment | |
| title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this | |
| | |
| Everybody who comes to this country ends up being British , no matter what colour their skin is, therefore to segregate children on the grounds of their colour is wrong and I am in favour with this amendment | |
| href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=106545952&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment | |
| title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this | |
| | |
| One family I knew had adopted 5 children. They were different ages and backgrounds. They are a loving and cohesive family because their parents spent such a lot of time supporting them. They have visited the home countries of the two children from Africa bringing knowledge and acceptance to the family as a whole. They were also great to have as friends! | |
| href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=106545587&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment | |
| title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this | |
| | |
| It had to be done - this is not an easy one to otherwise resolve. Politically sensisite comments aside, the problem statistics are that children from ethnic familes are more likely to be in the care system for an assortment of reasons. This is frustrated further by the fact that an ethnic couple is less likely to be prepared to adopt.At least this way, children have homes and not "care homes" | |
| href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/newscommentsmodule/comments/UserComplaintPage?PostID=106545558&s_start=1" class="popup dna-commentbox-complain-link" title="Complain about this comment"> Report this comment | |
| title="Copy this link to generate a permanent link to this comment">Link to this | |
| Comments 5 of 27 | |
| |
| Add your comment | Add your comment |
| You are not currently signed in. Sign in or register. | You are not currently signed in. Sign in or register. |