Adoption Agencies (Panel and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall Excerpts

Wednesday 25th July 2012 Grand Committee

I received a briefing yesterday from the NSPCC, which I hope the Minister also has received. I will read only the questions that the NSPCC suggests that I should ask. Given the judiciary’s well documented mistrust of social workers, how will the Government ensure that cases brought before the court recommending adoption will have been properly considered and decided in the absence of scrutiny by adoption panels? How confident are the Government that the proper supervision is in place, or will be in place, to ensure that decisions to adopt are properly considered and made in the absence of scrutiny by adoption panels? How will the Government ensure that the court system is not clogged up with cases where adoption is the wrong decision?

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall)]

My Lords, a Division has been called in the Chamber. The Committee will therefore adjourn for 10 minutes and reconvene at 2.47 pm.