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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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