Children's views to help shape adoption strategy

Children who are adopted are being given the opportunity to help shape the future of adoption in Northern Ireland.

Following the recent launch of the ‘Adopting the Future’ strategy, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety wants to hear the views of young people aged 12-18, who have been adopted within the last 10 years.

This is aimed at assisting the Department in identifying the changes needed to improve adoption services.

Since the development of Northern Ireland’s current adoption legislation, there have been radical changes in the profile of children needing adoption, adoption practice, and in social structures and attitudes.

The adoption strategy is being developed to modernise the current system to better meet the demands of adoption today.

Between 2004-05, there were 154 adoption orders granted in Northern Ireland. These include step-parent adoptions, adoptions of children from care and inter-country adoptions.

A spokesperson for the DHSSPS said: “The ‘Adopting the Future’ strategy is the biggest overhaul of adoption in decades. It is vital that we seek the views of adopted children and their families because they are the people who have first hand experience of adoption. By listening to families we will be able to design an adoption system which puts the child at the heart of the process where they belong.

“This is a unique opportunity for both adopted young people and adoptive parents to tell the Department about their views on proposals and contribute to positive changes in adoption law, policy and practice.”

The Department is to organise a series of direct consultation events within the next few weeks.

Parental consent will be required and simultaneous events will be run to enable parents of participating young people to contribute.

Advertisements are to be placed in daily newspapers inviting children and parents to attend these events and information leaflets for children and parents will be issued to anyone who responds to the advertisements.

The events will be held in a number of regional locations and each young person will receive a £10 token of appreciation for their time.

For more information, visit nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/adoption-fostering-and-children-care/adoption

(EF/SP)