ADOPTION NOW A REALITY FOR GROWING NUMBER OF KIDS IN CARE
An increasing number of children in care across the state will be legally adopted by their foster carers during the next year.
Minister for Community Services Linda Burney said the news of the increase is particularly significant in National Adoption Awareness Week which runs from the 17 - 23 November.
"In September I tabled legislation in Parliament to make it easier for couples to adopt children and for children in care to be placed in permanent safe and secure homes," Ms Burney said.
"Changes to the NSW Adoption Act will mean adoption processes for foster carers, step-parents, relatives or those wishing to adopt a child in NSW or from overseas will be streamlined.
"Importantly for our fantastic foster carers, it means that they will continue to receive the same financial assistance they received when fostering, even after the adoption.
"Foster carers tell me this has removed a major financial hurdle, and will assist them if they are otherwise suitable to adopt the child in their care."
Ms Burney has said that since the changes to the legislation were announced, the Department of Community Services had noted a marked increase in the number of foster carers inquiring about the adoption process.
"Twenty two children in care, many of whom have lived with their carers since infancy, have been adopted by their carers in the last year, and many more are in the pipeline," she said.
"In the Goulburn area alone, one Community Services Centre is assisting 10 families considering adopting the children in their care."
Ms Burney said it was not just legislative amendments making an impact, but also an increased focus on permanency planning.
"Research has shown that a stable family life can result in better outcomes for children," she said
"When children cannot live safely at home with their parents, implementation of principles of permanency planning by Community Services caseworkers has sharpened the focus on the long-term placement needs of kids in care, addressing it as soon as possible.
"There are a range of care options that will meet the needs of children, including placement with family members, or adoption by carers, which is a very permanent secure arrangement."
