The Government is due to publish new guidance on the interpretation of adoption laws to enable white couples to adopt black and ethnic minority children.
The guidance is likely to instruct local authorities to ignore ethnic origin in making a decision as to whether to permit adoption so that once a family is found to satisfy the criteria for providing for the “emotional and developmental need of a child”, adoption should be permitted regardless of race.
Currently, social services are permitted to give “due consideration to the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background”, which are often used as deciding factors.
However, the Government has criticised this approach as being discriminatory and “not child centred”, resulting in black and ethnic children often having to wait for longer than white children to be placed with a suitable family. Instead, the Government is recommending adequate training for parents to provide for the cultural needs of the child.
The guidance also advises against discriminating against single or older parents wishing to adopt. It is not legally enforceable but local authorities that do not adhere to it are likely to be named and shamed.
Stephensons’ team of family and child care solicitors can give further advice in relation to adoption law.
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Notes to editors
About Stephensons
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Media information: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229