§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what his Department's policy is on the advertising of children through the press for adoption or fostering;
(2) whether his Department has issued any guidelines on the advertising of children for adoption and fostering;
(3) whether he has received any recent representations concerning the advertising of children for fostering and adoption.
§ Mr. WhitneyPress advertisements are used by many local authorities and adoption agencies as a means of finding families for children who cannot be placed by other means. This method has proved of value in finding new families, and the public generally has become aware of the needs of children in care who are waiting for families. The advertising of children does need to be handled with care and sensitivity and backed up with skilled professional social work.
I am aware of concern about the wording used in one recent case where an advertisement in respect of a ward of court was placed, with the agreement of the High Court. This case is a matter for the local authority and the High Court, and not one on which I should comment.
I understand that British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering and the National Foster Care Association intend 82W to produce guidelines on advertising of children. I welcome this joint initiative to help agencies to use publicity in a way that is most beneficial to the children concerned.