Professionals need training on new law

Legal experts have voiced fears that adoption professionals may not
be receiving proper training on the implications of the Adoption
and Children Act 2002.

The concerns have arisen because neither the Department of Health
nor Lord Chancellor’s Department has shown any intention of
offering training to family lawyers, guardians, or local authority
solicitors on how the law will affect their work.

The main part of the act, to be introduced next year, will change
adoption procedures, including the legal process to obtain adoption
and placement orders.

Arron Poyser, an inspector of Cafcass for the Magistrates Court
Services Inspectorate, told delegates at a children’s guardians
conference this week that there was no one within the LCD taking a
lead on the issue, and called on the professional associations to
fill the void.