Legal

Re-thinking domestic abuse in child protection: A call for change

At a recent Quality Circle meeting, chaired by Gemma Taylor KC and featuring Professor Brid Featherstone, over 160 participants came together to explore ways to improve how child protection systems address domestic abuse. In this summary, Kinship Consultant Clare Seth shares key findings, lessons, challenges and actions from the discussion.

The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund to continue beyond March 2025

CoramBAAF welcomes today’s announcement of the continuation of the ASGSF. We recognise how reliant families are on the therapy that it provides. We share concerns about the delays in the announcement and the continued delay in applications opening.

CoramBAAF to host the Racial Justice Family Network to promote anti-racist practice

The Racial Justice Family Network (RJFN) is a collaborative network which brings together social work and legal professionals, judges, academics, and people with lived experience to promote anti-racist practice in family justice. Originally hosted by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, the RJFN is now hosted by CoramBAAF.

Chapter summaries and analyses

Whilst there is no suggestion of a radical overhaul of the adoption system, the recommendations identify the huge amount of work required across the sector to keep the system fit for purpose for the future.

Agency Decision Maker resources

CoramBAAF have been commissioned by Adoption England to produce a series of training resources to support Agency Decision Makers in their decision-making and processes. Written and produced by CoramBAAF, these resources include written materials and several films featuring detailed case law examples.

Key legal provisions, guidance and legislation

Since the introduction of the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, new challenges have emerged. While these laws were designed to manage the growing amount of personal data being processed and ensure individuals’ privacy and rights are protected, their implementation has introduced additional complexities. Risk-averse approaches to disclosure and overly rigid interpretations of data protection laws often result in unnecessary redactions, and, at times, the process can become traumatic or alienating.

Adoption records

Adoption records document the legal process of adoption, including the transfer of parental responsibility from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. They typically include identifying information about the birth parents (names, addresses, phone numbers), the original birth certificate, and details about the adoption process.

Children’s social care files

Children's social care files are maintained by children’s services to document the care and support provided to children and their families. This includes services provided to children in need, those on child protection plans, looked-after children, children subject to a care order, those in foster care, children’s homes, or supported accommodation.

Access to records: what you need to know

Using your legal department in social services

Accessing care records

Access to records for care-experienced and adopted people

This participatory session aims to shape forthcoming best practice guidance for managing care-experienced and adopted people’s records in England and Wales and improve the culture and processes involved.

Somerset, the impact

Alexandra Conroy Harris, our legal consultant, presented the issues that were identified in the Somerset case, shared how local authorities can avoid these in the future, and what to do about cases currently in progress in this Exploring Expertise webinar from 15 March 2022.

Adoption Agency Decision Makers group

This group is a dedicated space for Adoption Agency Decision Makers to discuss, share, and reflect on cases, practice and procedures with peers. It is not a traditional Practice Forum, but is a ‘surgery session’.

Legal group

*** We are currently developing our offer to this group. More details coming soon ***

Fostering starter pack

Get 'Fostering now', 'Making good assessments', and 'The child's legal journey through care' for £35 (usually £49.90).

Bumper fostering starter pack

Dive into these essential resources to gain practical insights and robust guidance, whether you're just starting or a seasoned professional. Get this bundle for £65 (usually £82.80).

Adoption starter pack

Get 'Adoption now', 'Making good assessments', and 'The child's legal journey through care' for £40 (usually £54.90).