Inter-racial adoption - Commons Library Standard Note

Published 21 January 2013 | Standard notes SN06351

Authors: Manjit Gheera

Topic: Children and families, Children's social services

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 provides that, although a child’s racial and cultural origins are relevant factors to be considered by adoption agencies when making decisions about an adoption placement, they are not overriding considerations. However concerns that race is preventing children being placed with suitable families of different backgrounds prompted the Coalition Government to issue revised statutory guidance, to make it clear that a child’s ethnicity should not be a barrier to adoption. The Children’s Minister has also stated that legislation will be introduced to clarify that ethnicity should not be a primary consideration for adoption agencies when considering a match for a child.

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