1. University College Cork 17 January 2013
“Finding a forever family: achieving adoption for children in care in the UK; current practice and challenges”
University College Cork
17 January 2013

2. Child centered adoption
Adoption (NI) Order 1987
Opportunities for older children to be placed for adoption
Innovative practice – “hard to place” children
Finding a home for a child not a solution for infertile couples
Studies of children “languishing” in foster care
Growing number of Inter-country adoptions
Movement towards openness and post adoption contact
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

3. Why adoption?
Most research studies suggest that children who are adopted achieve good outcomes later in life, and feel a greater sense of family belonging and security a “forever family”
The younger the child when placed, the less likelihood of the adoption disrupting.
Adoption by existing carers most secure form of adoption
(Triseliotis, 2002, Sinclair et al, 2007, Biehal et al 2010)
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

4. Who are the children? Looked after children in NI (2011): 2,511
Children adopted from care (2011): 56
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

5. UK Comparisons England 67,050 (3,450 adopted from care)
Wales 5,726 (246 adopted from care)
Scotland 16,171 (325 adopted from care)
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

6. Republic of Ireland 6,160 children in care (2011)
Minister for Children, The Irish Times, July 2012
35 Non Family Adoptions (2010)
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

7. Includes 5 sibling groups of 2 3 BME children
Children currently waiting for an adoption placement in Northern Ireland
21 children
Includes 5 sibling groups of 2
3 BME children
Age range 5 months to 7 years
Average age (Adoption Order granted) 4years 8 months
ARIS 31st December 2012
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

8. “Harder to place” children
Older children
Sibling groups
Boys
BME children
Children known to have been sexually abused
Uncertain developmental delay
Autism/foetal alcohol syndrome
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

9. Who are the adopters? 43 approved families available
Age range – majority 36-50, mostly 40+
1 single adopter
1 same sex couple (only 1 can adopt)
ARIS 31st December 2012
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

10. Routes to placement in NI
Consented placement
Concurrent placement
Placed for adoption (Freeing Order)
Placed with dual approved foster/adopters
Adopted by existing foster carers subsequently approved to adopt
Kinship adoption
Step parent adoption
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

11. Adoption in other UK countries
Eligibility – cohabiting couples, same sex or heterosexual
Step parent adoption – new partner sole adopter
Ethnicity and race considerations
Shortage of approved adopters
Govt. focus on “speeding up” the adoption process
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

12. Family finding Regional adoption and fostering service
Information evenings – Trusts & VAAs
Targeted recruitment
Advertisements for placements for specific children (newspapers)
Positive messages promoting adoption for older children
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

13. Matching
Most children are placed within their local Trust pool of adopters
Voluntary Adoption Agencies
ARIS – Adoption Regional Information System
Adoption Exchange Days
Adoption Activity Days (Adoption Parties)
“Be My Parent” and “Children who Wait”
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

14. Process (NI) Child – “best interests” recommendation – Adoption Panel
Court – Order freeing child for adoption
Adopters – approved as suitable to adopt – Adoption Panel
Matches – approved at Adoption Panel (incl Consented)
Court – prospective adopters apply for Adoption Order
Adoption Regional Policy & Procedures NI 2010
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

15. Post adoption contact
Most children adopted in Northern Ireland continue to have contact (access) with members of their birth family
This may be direct, face to face contact
(1 < 4 x annually) or indirect (letter box)
Contact may be with birth parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives or previous foster carers
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

16. Challenges to practice (NI)
Mismatch between expectations and capacity of adopters and the needs of children requiring adoption
Lack of robust post adoption support
Out of date adoption legislation (1987)
Delay in court proceedings (experts)
Increased focus on kinship (relative) care
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

17. The way forward?
Lessons from UK re good practice, research and Government initiatives – promoting best outcomes for children
Early care planning for the best permanence option for this child
Thorough information and preparation – adopters and children
Flexible, accessible post adoption support
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013

18. catherine.mullin@baaf.org.uk (0044)2890 315494 www.baaf.org.uk
© British Association for Adoption & Fostering 2013