Red tape at heart of adoption shortage

OLDHAM Council is failing to place 38 per cent of children in care with adoptive parents within 12 months of deciding to do so.

It is ranked 129th out of 143 English councils — and is the worst in Greater Manchester — in new league tables.

York is top with 100 per cent of children going to adoptive families within a year, in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Hackney in London has the worst record of 43 per cent.

Oldham’s figure of 62 per cent over the past three years compared with an average of 74 per cent in England.

The tables have 15 sets of figures showing the care and adoption performance of councils. They range from the number of children in care who go missing to 19-year-olds in suitable accommodation and higher education. Oldham ranks highly for the percentage of children in care who are adopted, the GCSE results of children in care, low school absence and children placed in care less than 20 miles from where they used to live.

However, its number of 19-year- olds not in education, employment or training after being in care at 16 is one of the worst.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, Cabinet member for children, said: “Adoption is a very complex process which can take a considerable amount of time and care but in all cases we would like to stress the welfare and needs of the child involved is of paramount importance to us.

“This year our figures for placing children with adoptive parents within 12 months have improved by almost 20 per cent.

“We are proud of being placed within the top 25 local authorities who have found permanent adoptive families for children who cannot return home. Oldham, like local authorities across the country, has a shortage of adoptive parents and we are appealing for residents who think they may be suitable to come forward.”

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to announce tough action against local authorities that fail to place children with adoptive parents within 12 months.

He said a culture change was needed and explained: “There are far too many stories today about pointless questions, very intrusive questions and also, a sort of tick-box mentality that means people are looking at things such as how long ago you gave up smoking and the age of your youngest natural child?

“There’s too much ticking of boxes and not enough discretion, judgement and responsibility.

“We want to act to help some of those vulnerable children in our country, children who languish in the care system who have a terrible start in life and often as a result go on and have really difficult lives.

“We want to do more to help those children. The state is responsible for them and frankly, the current situation isn’t working.”

For more information about adoption in Oldham call 0161-770 6605 or visit www.oldham.gov.uk/adoption.