ADOPTION TARGETS TO BE SCRAPPED

19-01-2008

Controversial adoption targets – blamed by campaigners including the Birmingham MP John Hemming for increasing the numbers of children in care – look set to be scrapped.

The development comes as the Family Courts system comes under more pressure for reform both from within and outside government.

In 2006, more than 4,000 under-5’s were issued with care orders, and 2,490 of those were placed with new families – more than double the figure in 1995.

News that the government is proposing the scrap the targets was welcomed by Hemming – chair of the Families For Justice pressure group - who has condemned what he describes as social services “forced adoption machine” (see link here).

As we reported in August, the UN is already investigating the issue (see link here).
This followed two alarming cases in which children were adopted before their parents had the chance to carry out their legal right to appeal (see link here)

Hemming, a long-time critic of the family courts system, described the latest turn of events, as “a victory, but only a partial victory. We’ve won a battle, but this is a long, long war.

“Adoption targets isn’t the only issue. The whole system needs to be overhauled and made much more accountable.”