Adoption awareness week – Change the process, change the facts

National Adoption Awareness Week (NAAW) was launched by Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Zed Seselja, in conjunction with Adopt Change today at Parliament House.

NAAW runs from 6 to 12 November, and aims to raise awareness of adoption, and the importance of stable living arrangements and lifetime relationships for children.

“There are over 40,000 children in out-of-home care, yet in the 2014-15 year we only saw 209 domestic adoptions occur. Changing the process to get more permanency must be a priority for all levels of government,” Senator Seselja said.

“Evidence shows overwhelmingly that a sense of security, stability, and continuity in childhood means a child will be better off as they enter adulthood.

“Far too many children go through too many placements in out-of-home care with no stability and permanency is never a reality. These children are at significant risk of poor long term outcomes.

“In a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in October, it was found that young people who were a part of the care and protection system were 14 times more likely to also be a part of the youth justice system. This is not acceptable and it shows that we are failing our children.

“I want to work with my state and territory colleagues to pursue a range of reforms to create improved permanency outcomes for children including adoption.

“Community Services Ministers will meet in Sydney on Friday where issues of permanency planning will be on the agenda,” Senator Seselja concluded.

A series of specialist and community-based events exploring the experiences of children and families are taking place during NAAW. Adopt Change will also be releasing new research into post-adoption supports for adoptive families and adoptees.

More information is available at www.adoptchange.org.au/NAAW.