Seven charities representing mothers, fathers and grandparents have joined me in replying to the Goverment following their response to the Grandparents' Rights Petition.
We are asking that the Government reconsider our proposals that are designed to reduce the number of children being needlessly taken into care or placed for adoption. A child has a fundamental right to family life and to know its biological family. 49 MPs have declared their support for our response by signing Early Day Motion 1199.
There are too many instances where the extended family are ignored as potential carers for children when parents are unable to look after their children. Reasons for this have included the Government financially incentivising local authorities to hit adoption targets, and poor training of social workers and court welfare officers.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have recently admitted to receiving £500,000 for exceeding adoption targets. Social Workers had announced this was possible by cutting down bureaucracy. One wonders if a part of that bureaucracy was an indepth consideration that the children might be better off cared for by grandparents. A further £17,500,000 has been awarded to other councils.
Daily Telegraph Article: 'Cash prize for council that hit adoption targets'
To see our response to the Government which the MPs are supporting, visit the main Custody Minefield website.
The Grandparents Rights' Campaign, as recently featured on BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Radio Scotland, and BBC Southern Counties Radio. Three articles will shortly be published on family law and the current lobbying campaign.
We are asking that the Government reconsider our proposals that are designed to reduce the number of children being needlessly taken into care or placed for adoption. A child has a fundamental right to family life and to know its biological family. 49 MPs have declared their support for our response by signing Early Day Motion 1199.
There are too many instances where the extended family are ignored as potential carers for children when parents are unable to look after their children. Reasons for this have included the Government financially incentivising local authorities to hit adoption targets, and poor training of social workers and court welfare officers.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have recently admitted to receiving £500,000 for exceeding adoption targets. Social Workers had announced this was possible by cutting down bureaucracy. One wonders if a part of that bureaucracy was an indepth consideration that the children might be better off cared for by grandparents. A further £17,500,000 has been awarded to other councils.
Daily Telegraph Article: 'Cash prize for council that hit adoption targets'
To see our response to the Government which the MPs are supporting, visit the main Custody Minefield website.
The Grandparents Rights' Campaign, as recently featured on BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Radio Scotland, and BBC Southern Counties Radio. Three articles will shortly be published on family law and the current lobbying campaign.
