Government issues support guidelines

The government has issued a new consultation
document on the provision of adoption support.

The
consultation will form the basis for new regulations on adoption
support to be introduced in April 2003 under the Adoption and
Children Bill now before the Lords.

The
document aims to address the varying quality of adoption services
from area to area.

A
recent study by BAAF Adoption and Fostering found that lack of
social work support could greatly affect the outcome of a care
plan.

In
some areas post-adoption support lasted a year and after that
depended on adoptive families referring themselves.

Lack
of support was a barrier to adopters coming forward and a factor in
adopters dropping out of the system, the BAAF report
added.

Health
minister Jacqui Smith said: “Better comprehensive support will help
to improve the success of adoptive placements.”

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Providing Effective Adoption Support is available at www.doh.gov.uk/adoption