Government to consult on monitoring of adoptions from care

Health minister Jacqui Smith has announced a consultation on
proposals to collect information nationally on the number of
adoptions of children from care that break down, writes
Jonathan Pearce.

Currently the department of health does not collect such
information centrally, although between 1993 and 1999 an
information system was in operation for adoption breakdowns. It was
ultimately dropped because of poor quality data. Comments on the
proposals are invited by the end of next March.

Smith also said she would be establishing a “group of
stakeholders” to input into a review of the adopter assessment
process from early next year.

“The review will take a nuts-and-bolts look at the workings of
the assessment process and ask difficult questions,” she added.

* ‘Consultation on Monitoring Adoption Disruption Rates Post
Adoption Order’ at www.doh.gov.uk/adoption/consult.htm