Moves underway to reform Ireland’s adoption laws could result in 2,000 children transitioning from long term foster care into permanent family structures.
The Irish Times reports that under draft legislation drawn up by the Government, a more flexible approach to domestic adoptions will be introduced.
The figure of 2,000 potential adoptions represents a major increase in a system which, despite seeing over 6,500 children in care, resulted in just 17 adoptions in 2013, and 13 in 2012. A large majority of children in foster care are from unmarried families meaning the Constitutional protection for the married family is not an impediment to their adoption.
The children’s rights amendment of two years ago, if ratified shortly by the Supreme Court, will make it somewhat easier to adopt the children of married parents.
The current low number of children being adopted is partly accounted for by guidelines which prevent a child being adopted unless there has been a total abandonment of parental rights or where both birth parents consent to the adoption.
The chairman of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, Geoffrey Shannon said that, if ratified, the 2012 refendum would offer a “second chance” for many to have a secure childhood. The Authority has already announced the establishement of an implementation body to act on changes brought about by any new legislation.
Meanwhile, in England, the number of children in care has reached its highest number since 1990, according to latest figures.
The National Audit Office (NAO) found that 68,110 children are now under the direct care of local authorities, representing a 14% rise since 2008. In line with the numbers, the NAO also warned that its studies show that children in foster care perform less well at school. Of students gaining five or more GCSEs graded A* to C in the period 2012-2013, 15% of students in care achieved such results, compared to 58% not in care.
The NAO has accused England’s Department of Education of not meeting targets in improving care standards for children.
