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 Making Sense of the New Adoption Law: A Guide for Social and Welfare Services (Second Edition)
 Nick Allen,
 Russell House Publishing
 ISBN 9781905541089,
 £18.95

 Star rating: 5/5

Nick Allen provides an immensely detailed examination of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and related regulations and guidance, writes Anne Burnage. His book also shows how this Act links in to other relevant pieces of legislation, such as The Children Act 1989.

Perhaps because of the thematic approach, the author is able to make what could be very dry material both interesting and readable. Allen gives the reader descriptions of the history and political background to the legislation which took many years to come to fruition.

Adoption's high profile has led to important and complex issues being sometimes oversimplified in the mass media. We are presented with an example of how the legislative process works when the subject matter is of high public interest, why there are delays, what influences movement, and why changes are made.

For students of social work and of the law, and for those who work in the field of adoption, this book is both fascinating and rewarding. The detail of the Act is set in context, and strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. The book is not only a valuable resource, but a really good read.

Anne Burnage is deputy director of the Catholic Children's Society (Arundel and Brighton, Portsmouth and Southwark)