Adoptions could be restricted unless bill is amended

The number of children who benefit from adoption could be
severely restricted unless the Adoption and Children Bill is
amended, a coalition of leading adoption and children’s
agencies have warned MPs, writes Jonathan
Pearce
.

Sent by 19 agencies – led by BAAF Adoption & Fostering
and including the National Children’s Bureau,
Barnardo’s, NCH, Adoption UK and the Association of Directors
of Social Services – the letter is timed to coincide with the
bill’s report stage in the House of Commons due next
week.

The coalition has urged MPs to back a cross-party amendment to
the bill allowing unmarried couples to adopt jointly. Under current
legislation, which the bill reaffirms, adoption is only permitted
by single people and by married couples making a joint
adoption.

The coalition believes the life chances of more children would
be improved by widening the pool of potential adoptive parents, and
by allowing those children placed with unmarried couples to enjoy
the security of a permanent legal relationship with both
parents.

The coalition’s letter has been prompted by fears that the
government is considering a whipped vote to support the bill as it
stands, after recent media reports revealed a Cabinet split over
family policy, meaning no minister will speak publicly on marriage
issues.

 

 

 

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