Adoption norms & standards

Given the sensitive nature and life-changing impact adoption has on the people involved, it’s not surprising that there are many norms and standards set out to ensure good adoption practices. Of course, these norms and standards only mean something if they are applied and internalised by the various industry role players.

We would like to emphasise the following key principles subscribed to by the authorities and social infrastructures in the adoption environment:

• It is imperative to create awareness campaigns to promote adoption as part of a country’s child protection services.
• All avenues to keeping a child within his or her own family are explored before adoption is considered.
• Adoption must be handled by expert and accredited adoption social workers functioning within a statutory adoption system.
• The approach should take account of and address the changing social, physical, cognitive and cultural needs of the child and his/her family.
• No discriminatory practices are allowed against birth parents, adoptive parents and/or adoptees in respect of race, gender, language, religion, disability, financial means or any other status.
• An important consideration is that the particular needs of the child are matched with the special strengths of the adoptive family.