What is the reason for the lack of support for adoptive families?

The long-term effects of Covid 19 seem to still be infiltrating many different elements of society including the work of Government departments.

The Adoption and Children Act 2022 was originally introduced by former Health Minister, Robin Swann. This Act places a duty on adoption authorities to assess children, many of whom have experienced trauma, and help provide support like therapeutic and mental health care. It provides a right for adoptive parents to request an assessment of their child’s needs from post-adoption services, which would link with Health Trusts and the Education Authority to provide appropriate services.

However, 3 years later the Director of Adoption UK in Northern Ireland said plans are two years behind what was originally promised. The Department of Health said work on the law was temporarily paused in October 2024 due to the ongoing Covid 19 inquiry.

Although no central record of the number of adoptees living in Northern Ireland exists, figures from the Children Adopted From Care in Northern Ireland report indicates 97 children were adopted during the year up to 31 March 2024.

Research from Adoption UK shows 81% of adoptive parents in NI said that it felt like a constant struggle to get the help and support their child needed.  The charity said families are living with the same services as before the law changed and many feel let down by Stormont.

The Department of Health has said work has been restarted but timescales for implementation of the Act will depend on the provision of additional and sustained funding.