A move to overhaul Northern Ireland’s outdated adoption laws has cleared its final hurdle at Stormont.
Health Secretary Robin Swann said it was among the key bills to be put before the Assembly. It took 16 years to review the law, he added.
There are more than 700 adoptive families here, but the laws were last updated in the 1980s.
On average, it takes more than three years for a child to be adopted from foster care in Northern Ireland.
However, it can vary widely depending on a child’s individual circumstances.
In other legislative developments on Tuesday:
- A new law protecting tenants’ rights was backed by the Assembly
- MLAs supported a bill aimed at addressing violence and abuse, including the offenses of upskirting and cyberflashing
The new adoption law allows courts to set a timetable for adoption and aims to ensure that post-adoption assessments take into account a child’s needs and provide adopters with more social service support.
The invoice will:
- Reform of the legal framework for adoption in Northern Ireland
- Introduce a legal requirement for adopters to have access to more social service support
- Make sure a child’s needs are taken care of after adoption
- Enable courts to set deadlines for adoption procedures
In the year to March 2020, 111 children were adopted from foster care in Northern Ireland.
As Assembly members passed the final phase of the law on Tuesday, Mr Swann said it would be “life changing”.
“It will mean that adoptive families can enjoy support and strengthen and expand support for families in need,” he added.
“Sixteen years after this process began, I am pleased to say that I commend this bill to the House.”
- “After the adoption we were left to our own devices”
Sinn Féin’s Colm Gildernew, chair of the health committee, said the bill was “overdue” and one of the “most rewarding” pieces of legislation he’s ever worked on.
Speaking for the Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP), Colin McGrath said the bill’s passage shows what politicians could achieve when they work together.
Watching Stormont at work lately has been like waiting on a bus – you wait forever for you and then a lot of them come at once.
Four bills crossed the finish line in the assembly today and are now becoming law – but why?
There is a rush to finalize outstanding legislation before the Assembly closes with elections in just under two weeks.
Additional sessions will take place next week – rumors of a Saturday session have even been whispered.
27 bills that looked in doubt last month when the executive collapsed – over a series of issues affecting many people’s lives – should make it in time.
A reminder of how fast Stormont can move when need be.
He said it showed the gathering could “bring about change.”
Pam Cameron of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) also welcomed the law coming into force, saying it was a “meaningful day”.
She commended the work of all those who helped get the law through the legislative process.
There were warm words from Alliance’s Paula Bradshaw. who said the passing of the bill was an “exciting day” and said the changes filled her “heart with joy”.
The bill stalled after public consultation processes and the previous collapse of the Stormont institutions.
The Department of Health said the bill is expected to come into force in the coming months, after which regulations will be developed and guidance introduced.
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