Nigel Priestley – Senior Partner and Adoption Specialist Lawyer

Nigel Priestley, Senior Partner at Ridley & Hall and a specialist in adoption was invited to the launch of a report on “The Role of the Social Worker in Adoption: Ethics and Human Rights – an Enquiry” in London.

Commenting Nigel said “Adoption has a vital role to play in the care of children. The commitment that many adopters make is quite remarkable. But it is not without difficulties. It is a life changing decision for the children and all the families involved.

Adoption is in the spotlight. We are dealing with a significant number of adoption breakdowns. The role of the social worker is central – and sadly too many of my clients have a very negative experience of Social Services. This report is extremely timely.”

The report was prepared by Professor Brid Featherstone from the University of Huddersfield and Professor Anna Gupta from the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

BASW commissioned this Enquiry into the role of the social worker in adoption – ethics and human rights.

BASW accept that adoption is a life changing event – for the children concerned, their birth parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family and adoptive families – and has been promoted strongly by governments across the UK in recent years, in England most of all.

However, adoption is also one of the most controversial areas of social policy. Around 5000 children are currently adopted annually from care across the UK but the number has varied significantly in recent years.

The higher rate of care proceedings and adoption involving children from families that are particularly disadvantaged – by poverty, social trauma, mental health difficulties or learning disability, for instance – is an ethical and practice concern for social workers, not least because it raises questions about the adequacy of support and protection of human rights of parents.

Nigel took part in one of the Enquiry sessions sharing his experience as a solicitor and as an adopter.

“The report is an important reflection on the role of the Social Worker in such cases. There was a sense at the launch that for many birth parents they were trying to stop a runaway train. Many adopters find that the damage suffered by the children they love and are caring for is so severe that they cannot get the help they and their children desperately need. Social Workers are central to the lives of both birth families and adopters. Their role is critical. The report has come at a critical moment. I welcome it.”

If you require legal advice, please contact a member of our team at Ridley & Hall on 01484 538 421.