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BAAF PROPOSALS WELCOMED
The British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) says that White Paper proposals could lead to biggest overhaul of care system for a generation. It also welcomes new proposals to ensure donor-conceived children learn of their origins.
The charity welcomes:
- Wide-ranging proposals and more than £300mn investment that could transform outcomes for children in care
- Decision not to set targets to reduce care population
- Recognition of failures in the care system
- Crucial focus on stability and permanence for every child.
BAAF today backs Care Matters and says its proposals have the potential to radically change the lives of the next generation of children in care. It cautions though of the need to take urgent action so that children in care now can benefit from the reforms as soon as possible.
David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, says: "This White Paper is of vital importance. It is honest about failures with the current system, such as variations in service provision from one geographical area to another and the fact that too many children are still moving around too often. Professionals and carers are already working incredibly hard, but the government has also recognised that local authorities need more support and resources to deliver the very best service to all children in care.
"It is rightly ambitious and looks at every aspect of the system, from commissioning services and recruiting and training foster carers to providing support for care leavers looking for employment. Some of these proposals will require considerable funding. The government has already committed to invest a significant sum of money. We look forward to seeing more detailed implementation plans”.
The charity says proposals to increase placement choice and promote stability of placements are key. These include: plans to pilot regional commissioning units; a commitment to ensuring every child has a plan for permanence by the time they have been in care for four months; and a new statutory duty on local authorities to secure a sufficient and diverse provision of quality placements within the local authority area. In addition, plans better to recruit, train and support foster carers and proposals to give young people the choice to stay in care for longer are welcomed.
BAAF supports the government decision not to set a target for the numbers of children in care. Instead, local authorities will need to proactively monitor their care populations and focus on thresholds and decision-making to ensure that children come into care at the right time for them.
Donor-conceived children
BAAF welcomes a recommendation to give urgent consideration to the proposal that children born from donated eggs or sperm should have the nature of their conception indicated on their birth certificates.
The suggested change, which has been debated by the parliamentary committee scrutinising the draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill, could help ensure donor-conceived children have access to fundamental information about their identity, says the charity. However, as this is such a complex area that raises such strong feelings, BAAF also supports the proposal that the government should urgently give the matter further consideration. It is in everyone's interests that the issues are fully understood and debated.
BAAF had been concerned that although the government removed donor anonymity in 2004, many children would never be told the circumstances of their conception and so would not be in a position to access such information.
Julia Feast, BAAF Policy Research and Development Consultant, says: "We fully support proposals that will encourage openness and which mean children find out about their origins. Parenting a child who is not genetically related raises unique issues, and this should be acknowledged in legislation as it is in adoption. We agree with the committee that children born as a result of donor-assisted conception should have their status reflected in official records.
"We would also like to see the introduction of obligatory information and preparation sessions for prospective parents that help parents think through why being open with children about their genetic identity really matters. It is crucial parents understand why telling their children the whole truth is so important".
The charity says the lessons we have learned from adoption — such as the distress of discovering your genetic identity has been kept secret — must not be ignored. Adoption research shows that it is important for people to have access to information that can help build a fuller sense of their identity and give knowledge about who their genetic parents are, but it also shows that most adopted people identified 'real' parents as those who loved and cared for them on a day-to-day basis throughout their lives. We believe the implications of this research need to be taken on board in the current context of donor-assisted conception. This is not about interfering in people's private lives, it is about building stronger families and avoiding problems in the future. In addition, our increasing knowledge of genetic disorders makes it even more crucial these children know their origins.
BAAF celebrated 25 years of supporting, advising and campaigning for better outcomes for children in care in 2005. We work with everyone involved with adoption and fostering across the UK. We have regional and country offices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland providing services to meet the needs of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Tel: 020 7421 2600
Fax: 020 7421 2601
Email: mail@baaf.org.uk |
