The adoption sub-group of the Public Law Working Group published a report this week that recommends comprehensive reform to the adoption process.
The report, which is titled 'Recommendations for best practice in respect of adoption' and has been in progress since 2020, examines how the model of adoption has evolved over the years and signposts where reform is needed to increase the system’s effectiveness.
It recommends a change in face-to-face contact between adopted children and birth families and to involve training and greater support and counselling for birth parents, as well as the development of a national protocol for a standard procedure for access to records applications.
It further suggests the currently extremely complex system of adoptions with an international element be simplified, with the statutory framework ultimately rewritten so that it is contained in one single Act of Parliament. It adds that a national strategy for adoption by consent cases needs to be developed, including training for all and better access to legal advice for parent(s) before the birth, and that local authorities bring proceedings straight away to be listed urgently.
Children law partner Sarah Richardson, who has been a member of the group since its inception, commented:
These working groups are such an important part of working in children law. It was an honour to work with such a dedicated and talented group of individuals from across the sector, each one committed to improving the system for children and their families just as we are here at Russell-Cooke. It remains to be seen what legislative changes are effected as a result of the recommendations contained within the report.
Sarah Richardson is a partner in the family and children team specialising in complex children cases, including domestic and international adoption and surrogacy. Russell-Cooke's children law team are experts in all aspects of adoption law, including adoption by consent and international adoption.
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