I’m thrilled to see philanthropist Francesca Polini in today’s Times promoting a fairer adoption system both in the UK and internationally.
Francesca and her husband Rick went to Mexico to adopt two babies after being turned by their local authority in Ealing where a cap on white couples adopting a black or mixed race child had been reached. As a result, countless children around the country have lost out on the chance of having a loving and stable home because of this ludicrous regulation.
Fortunately, that red tape is now being cut following an adoption review by Children’s Minister Tim Loughton, who has spoken with Francesca, leaving her impressed by his desire to make positive changes in the UK adoption system, which she passionately believes should be extended to include a review of our international adoption laws.
The Times report describes a recommendation from regulators Ofsted saying that social workers must provide inspectors with evidence that they have always considered adoption for each child taken into local authority care, and not just as “an option of last resort”.
Francesca says: “The Government has made a start … it remains to be seen if local authorities will follow it.”
Any delays in change simply prolongs the chance of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds having the chance of a fresh start which will hopefully transform their lives.
Francesca describes her frustrating experiences and roller-coaster adventures in Mexico in a fabulous book, Mexican Takeway, just published, and also highlighted in today’s Best magazine. The story is great and was written by Francesca, but what a pity about their headline which is totally untrue, giving the false impression that Francesca and Rick “bought” their babies, the very antithesis of Francesca’s beliefs. Was it just for the sake of sensationalism or the work of a poor sub-editor who hadn’t read the story properly?
Very unfortunate headline. Good that Loughton is keen but whether he actually does something remains to be seen. I’d like to know if he does. A cap is the most stupid thing I’ve heard. How on earth can they set a cap when they can’t possibly anticipate the need? Stupid stupid bean counting.
There are lots of problems with the adoption system in this country which means that kids miss out on having a stable loving family from an early age.
In my opinion, the adoption system has too many and too complex requirements that prevent many suitable families from adopting children. A system of the sort should try to encourage, not discourage people from engaging in the matters of its cause.
They are the simple requirements that Adopters can meet the needs of the child. It is the Childs needs that are too complex for many adopters. A “kind loving home” is simply not sufficient to meet the needs of many of these children so a robust assessment of the prospective adopters capability is essential.
I’m sure David Milliband would sympathise
“The Times report describes a recommendation from regulators Ofsted saying that social workers must provide inspectors with evidence that they have always considered adoption for each child taken into local authority care, and not just as “an option of last resortâ€.”
This seems to work from the premise that Adoption isn’t considered at an early stage and that it is wrong to consider removing a child from its family until all efforts to keep them there, safely, have been exhausted.
I don’t know what Local Authority or what practice you are basing your assumptions on, but it is incumbent on Social Workers to act in the best interest of children. Back in 86, after the Cleveland Abuse Scandal it was established that Children SHOULD be removed from their families as an option of last resort. Now, at the earliest opportunity available to Social workers, Adoption is always considered as a positive option if the parents are not capable of meeting the childs needs. It is the Court processes that thwart Local authority plans time and again. I’m all for due process, and so would you be if it was your child that was being taken away. I suggest you do a little more research and begin to get at least some of the facts right.
Hello Francesca,
your story is wonderful. I wonder however, what do you say to those people who suggest that it’s disingenuous of you to infer that having been turned down by the initial Local Authority you enquired of, and not having been “signposted†to other English local Authorities, you found it necessary to seek to adopt from Mexico? Surely, while undertaking the Preparation course, undertaking the PAR assessment and being approved at panel, such people might suggest that you would have become fully aware of all the children in the UK who you would have been more than eligible to adopt.
Could it be (they might ask) that actually adopting from the UK might mean more of a wait, more significant issues of contact and more complex children?
I’m sure such peoples comments would be unwelcome and challenging, but don’t you think these issues require clarification if you’re conducting a campaign against the current system?
Regards
Sue