1. Nothing to see here. Adoption & Children (Coronavirus) Regs 2020 quietly came into force on Friday.
Some of the most vulnerable children will have basic safeguards diminished. Compatibility with #humanrights #ECHR or #UNCRC is doubtful.
Little or no consultation or debate.
Some of the most vulnerable children will have basic safeguards diminished. Compatibility with #humanrights #ECHR or #UNCRC is doubtful.
Little or no consultation or debate.
2. Many changes appear to be politically motivated under guise of COVID 19. Failed to get through Parliament in previous years. Said to be interim until September but expiry can be revoked.
3. The law would normally require local authorities to visit children in care one week after they started living in a placement and then every six weeks. This basic protection for children in care is removed and local authorities can instead make up the visit with a phone call.
4. Six-monthly reviews of a child in care are no longer mandatory and adoptions are to “proceed swiftly”.
Adoption agencies no longer required to establish adoption panels, and fostering panels become optional. Care standards are also likely to be weakened in children’s homes.
Adoption agencies no longer required to establish adoption panels, and fostering panels become optional. Care standards are also likely to be weakened in children’s homes.
5. Childrens homes as detention centres. Normally children’s homes may only deprive children of their liberty if this is authorised by a court order. Now this can be in accordance with an exercise of powers under Sched 21 Coronavirus Act 2020.
6. Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 can be viewed here :
legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/445/…
legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/445/…
