Not a One-Size-Fits-All-Approach

This BBC article breaks from the adoption mantra that number of adoptions is the important statistic. Adoptions: Ofsted issues tougher new rules[BBC 2/26/12 by Angela Harrison]

The end of the article says it best: “The prime minister has called for early adoption to be made a priority, saying that this greatly improves a vulnerable child’s chances in life.

Ofsted will bring in the changes from April. As well as looking at delays, inspectors will look at:

• Whether adoption has been considered as an option for all children in care
• Evidence that adoption has been considered early and not “as a last resort”
• Whether siblings are adopted together where possible
• The vetting process for people who want to adopt
• Support given to those who adopt

John Goldup, Ofsted’s deputy chief inspector, said the new framework “would make it much harder” to get a “good” or an “outstanding” rating.

“Everything we are publishing today is about raising our expectations for our children. It is essential that children in care, often the most vulnerable, get the very best support to have a happy, stable and fulfilling childhood, ” he said.

“That is why we want to raise standards further and focus on what real difference is being made to children’s lives.

“Our scrutiny of delays in the adoption process will help focus and bring forward a smooth and quicker adoption process. The earlier children are identified for adoption and placed with a family the better the chances that adoption will be successful.”

In November, the government published details of how long adoptions took in different local authorities and other information, such as how well children in care did at school in each area.

Delays in adoption can often occur in the legal system.

Most children who are adopted now have been removed from parents who are judged by the authorities to be unable to look after them and parents will challenge the decisions in the family courts.

In previous generations, more would have been given up by their parents.

The body which represents the heads of children’s services in councils in England, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, has said it is committed to adoption and to improving the current system for approving adopters – but that adoption is not the only way of providing children with a permanent home.

It says long-term fostering or arrangements where a child is put in the care of grandparents can also be good options for a child.

Experts say adoptions are not always suitable for older children, particularly teenagers, and that such adoptions are more likely to break down.

ADCS president Matt Dunkley said last week: “What is important is that the needs of the child are paramount in all such decisions, taking into account their age and any additional needs and the likelihood of finding an adoptive family for them.

“We must not over‐simply what it a complex and life-changing decision.”

REFORM Puzzle Piece