Scottish Government

ADOPTION POLICY REVIEW GROUP
CHOICES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTERING AND ADOPTION
DISCUSSION PAPER ON LEGAL ISSUES

Alexandra Plumtree

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CONTENTS

Introduction
Abbreviations Terminology and References
Discussion Topics:
General Issues
1. Legal Options for Children providing Permanence and Stability
2. Contact
3. Freeing Orders
4. Role of the Hearing System in Permanence
5. Medical Issues
6. Court Processes in Permanence, including Grounds and Court Delays
7. Revocation
8. Public Fostering
9. Support in Non-adoptive Permanent Placements
10. Support in Adoption Placements
11. Tracing and Access to Adoption Records
12. Private Fostering

Stakeholder Issues 13. Birth Families in Adoption, including Unmarried Fathers
14. Children Waiting for Permanence and Adoption
15. Panels: Fostering, Adoption and Permanence
16. Foster Carers and Processes for Them
17. Adopters and Processes for Them
18. Adoption Agencies and Local Authorities
19. Curators and Reporting Officers
20. Step-Parent Adoption

Appendices:

Appendix I. Main Legislative and Regulatory Provisions: A List of Abbreviations
Appendix II. References and Further Reading
Appendix III. Court Timetables for Adoption and Freeing: Two Possible Schemes and Draft Practice Note
List Of Questions

Please return responses by 5 ^th December 2003 to:

Susan Neilands
Scottish Executive Education Department
Young People and Looked After Children Division
2-B(S)
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
e-mail: susan.neilands@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
fax: 0131 244 3547

Please indicate if the response is to be treated as confidential.