The Government today announced plans to set up a panel which will review the process by which prospective adopters are recruited. The panel has been asked to draw up proposals for improving and speeding up the way would-be adoptive parents are recruited, assessed and trained. It will include representatives from the British Association of Adoption and Fostering, the Association of Directors of Children's Services, Adoption UK and the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies, of which Norwood is a member.
Elaine Kerr, Norwood’s Chief Executive, said:
“Norwood welcomes today’s announced Government review of the assessment process for potential adopters and awaits the panel’s findings with interest. We believe vulnerable children requiring adoption should be found loving and secure homes as soon as possible. We would advocate any changes to the adoption process that achieves this while ensuring the adopted child’s best interests are met and its wellbeing safeguarded.”
Norwood, a registered voluntary adoption agency, completes safe and thorough assessments of each of its prospective adopters within six to eight months of referral. Last year, Norwood placed 12 children, including two children with special needs, with approved domestic adopters within the first year of their approval.
