There are examples of forms of adoption throughout history and in different religious and or cultural contexts. The first Adoption Act in this country was in 1926 and was introduced to clarify issues relating to property and inheritance.

The current Adoption Act was framed in 1976 and reflects adoption in very different times, characterised by the concept of secrecy in adoption. During the 1970’s around 27,000 children a year were placed for adoption, mostly infants. Despite “hippy” images of the “swinging sixties”, this was a time when having a baby outside marriage and single parenthood were not acceptable and when abortion was not readily available and this was a time when thousands of young women had little choice but to place their babies for adoption.

Adoption today is very different of course. Between 5-6000 children are currently adopted each year, about half of these within their own family. Only about 200 of the children adopted are babies.
Although regulations governing adoption have been updated, (1983, 1991 and minor more recent amendments, significantly those which place controls on the way in which children can be brought into the country for adoption) adoption law review is long overdue. There has been a process of review since the Lord Chancellor’s rolling programme of adoption law review began in 1989 – the time that the Children Act was being finalised (it was implemented in 1991). However, the process has always been overtaken by political imperatives of the day and the topical aspects of adoption have attracted high levels of media attention and less cross-party agreement.

Now, review of adoption law was in the Queen’s speech and a more recent White Paper drawn up and the Bill is going through parliament at the present time. National Standards in adoption are now in place and draft Practice Guidelines have been circulated for consultation. This is set within a much more open framework of partnership, accessibility and consultation. All of these documents and the latest information about governmental activities relating to adoption are available on the Department of Health’s website. [www.doh.gov.uk/adoption/index.htm]

Basic legal notes have been prepared by PACT’s legal adviser, and you will find them on the side menu titles ‘Legal Notes’