Overseas Adoption Helpline

EDM number 540 in 1996-97, proposed by Joan Lestor on 17/02/1997.

That this House acknowledges the important contribution made by the Overseas Adoption Helpline in assisting would-be parents and others concerned with the adoption of children from abroad; believes that the difficult and complicated procedures to be followed by those wishing to adopt from abroad demand that there be an up-to-date, dedicated source of independent advice and information both for would-be adopters and professionals; is fearful that the proposed closure of the Helpline would leave prospective parents and children at risk; does not believe that the Department of Health and local authorities can themselves provide such an independent service therefore calls on the Government to review its decision to cease funding a service which has helped 14,000 callers over the past five years; and fully supports similar calls from the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, together with the Adoption Forum, the Association of County Councils, the Association of Directors of Social Services, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of Families who have Adopted from Abroad, the Bridge Child Care Development Service, the British Association of Social Workers, the Campaign for Intercountry Adoption, Childlink, International Social Services, the National Council for Voluntary Child Care Organisations, the Overseas Adoption Helpline Steering Board and Parent to Parent Information on Adoption Services.

This motion has been signed by a total of 45 MPs.