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BAAF comment on Family Court Cases Review statement
Issued: 23 February 04
This press release applies to the whole of the UK
The British Association for Adoption & Fostering today commented as follows on Margaret Hodge's announcement on the review into family court cases after the Angela Cannings judgement.
Felicity Collier, BAAF's chief executive said:
“We welcome this clear direction from the Government and the setting of challenging but necessary timescales to review each case. We must recognise that some of these children will be very settled in their new families, even though based on what we know now, it may be that they should not have been separated from their biological parents. This is why the courts and local authorities must look very carefully at the current needs of the child and what is in their best interests. Children must be reassured that their wishes will be taken into full consideration and children, their birth families, adoptive parents and other carers may need counselling and support.
“Although it may be painful, children should know the truth about the circumstances in which they were removed from their parents. It is likely that in some cases, a careful planned return to the birth family will be the right way forward. It is also possible that some of the carers who are currently looking after these children will ask the court to allow the child to stay with them and this may be the right decision.
“For the overwhelming majority of adopted children, adoption plays a vital role in bringing safety, security and love to their lives. Thousands of children have been adopted over the years and only a small number of these decisions were based on evidence which may now be discredited.”
Ends
Contact:
Lucy Handford, Media Assistant, 020 7593 2054
Note
1. The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) is the UK's leading adoption and fostering charity.
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