Wholesale reform recommended for adoption process

A report has been published on 7^th November 2024 recommending wholesale reform to the process of adoption in the UK.

The report has been prepared by the adoption sub group of the Public Law Working group, which was established by the most senior judge in the family court, Sir Andrew McFarlane. The group has been working on this report for four years.

The main recommendations of the report are as follows:

1. The report suggests that the current system, whereby face to face contact between adopted children and their birth parents is the exception rather than the rule is outdated and there needs to be a ‘sea change’ in the approach to the question of face to face contact.
   
   
2. It must be easier for adopted persons to access records about their birth families.
   
   
3. The system of adoption with an international element is extremely complex and the law around it needs to be re-written, with urgent written guidance needed in the meantime.
   
   
4. In cases where birth parents consent for children to be adopted, there needs to be a national strategy, which includes training for all, better access to legal advice for parents before birth and local authorities bringing court proceedings straight away.

This report, particularly the recommendations for reform to post adoption face to face contact between adoption children and their birth parents, will provide welcome recommendations for so many working in the profession, as well as for birth parents facing the worst case scenario regarding their children’s long-term future.

The full report is linked below for further consideration:

Wholesale reform to adoption process is needed, says Public Law Working Group - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

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