Secure and safe homes for our most vulnerable children, 30/06/05 [S]

This consultation paper seeks views on the Scottish Executive's proposals for action following the recommendations of the adoption policy review phase two.

Consultation period: 30/06/05 to 31/10/05

The consultation paper outlines the review group's recommendations, states whether the Executive supports the recommendation and what action is proposed. The Executive supports the vast majority of the recommendations.

The Executive welcomes general comments on the recommendations and the proposed responses. A number of specific questions have also been identified.

The key recommendations and proposals for action are to:

• introduce a new Permanence Order for giving long-term stability to children who cannot live with their birth families but for whom adoption is not the best option


• allow unmarried couples, including same sex couples, who are in an enduring family relationships to adopt jointly


• modernise and improve the law on adoption to provide better support to adopted children and families


• speed up and improve the handling of adoption cases in the courts and the children's hearings system


• introduce better fostering allowances

The proposals for action are set out under the following headings in the document:

• adoption


• contact and conditions in orders for permenance


• permanence order


• support for adoption


• improving court procedures and avoiding delays


• curators, reporting officers and safeguarders


• role of the Children's Hearing System in permanence cases


• fostering issues


• procedures within local authorities and agencies


• access to information

The Executive will bring forward legislation, guidance and administrative action following the consultation.

Responding

Responses should be sent to:

Simon Cuthbert-Kerr
Scottish Executive Education Department
Looked After Children and Youthwork Division
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH66 6QQ

Email: aprg_responses@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The consultation document is available on the Scottish Executive website.

Background

The Adoption Policy Review Group was set up in 2001 to review adoption and other forms of long-term care. The phase one report on practice issues was published in 2002. The phase two report looked at the legal framework, legal procedures and the role of children's hearings and was published in June 2005

The reports of Phase I and II are available on the Scottish Executive website.

Further Information

1. Secure and safe homes for our most vulnerable children

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