Low adoption figures due to poor economy?
According to Kent County Council’s annual adoption report, just 482 prospective parents came forward in 2010/11 compared to 547 the year before.Social care chiefs believe the state of the economy has affected people’s confidence in starting a family, adding that looked-after children are now spending an average of two-and-a-half years in care.
Cllr Jenny Whittle – cabinet member for specialist children’s services – admitted the figures were of serious concern to the authority.
She said: “Every child needs a stable, loving home, and the worst of all worlds is to leave a child languishing in care when an adoptive place is the best possible solution. “I can understand the economic climate has an effect but how many people realise they may qualify for a means-tested adoption allowance?
Financial support
There’s lots of financial support and training on offer, and what I don’t think we do enough of is market what’s available and what a rewarding experience it can be to offer a child a home.
Marketing push
“I think we need to pursue a much more aggressive marketing strategy. I’ve brought it up with officers and we will be doing much more over the next few months to recruit adopters. It needs to be an ongoing campaign and not just something based around National Adoption Week.”
Poor adoption figures
Just 44 adopters were approved in 2010/11 compared to 50 the year before, with 72.9 per cent of children given a new home within 12 months of being put up for adoption – a figure described as “poor” by the council. Of the 40 adopters recruited over the last 12 months, one was single and another was a same-sex relationship.
Martin Narey
Former Barnardo’s chief executive Martin Narey – now the Government’s ‘adoption czar’ – is currently reviewing Kent’s adoption service and will file a report before the end of the year. Cllr Whittle, who asked Mr Narey to carry out the review before he landed his new role in July, is also setting up a working party to identify ways to speed up the system.
Yes
Kent County Council should be applauded for asking Martin Narey to review their adoption service. Please let's have more of this.
Read more at: kentnews.co.uk