Coram's response to government adoption statement

Coram is the only dedicated project for Concurrent Planning, which it was pioneered for 13 years in London. 

New research on it's impact attached

Carol Homden, Chief Executive of Coram said:

"Where the history of a birth family gives cause for great concern and the chances are that a child is likely to need adoption, or the birth mother chooses this course, we have surely a duty to place a child early with those prepared to care for them for a lifetime. 

"The question for the system is how this is done in ways that recognise and address the interests of all parties but which place the child first.

"Coram as a National Centre of Excellence for Early Permanence will work to ensure best practice models for early ‘foster first’ placements through measures such as a subscription scheme to Concurrent Planning for local authorities, training and case consultation and specialist preparation groups.

"It takes a particular kind of special person to come forward for concurrent planning and to take that emotional risk as future parents.

"It requires high quality social work to support the birth family.

"However, concurrent planning and other approaches show it can be done and Coram welcomes the commitment that it must be done."

Ends

Coram’s adoption service has one of the highest placement success rates in the country.  The charity has been pioneering Concurrent Planning for more than 10 years,  new research published July 5 2012 on Concurrent Planning emphasises its value. 

This is a service which places babies with specialist foster carers while their long-term future is being decided.This is so that babies who cannot return to their birth parents can be adopted by their carers, avoiding unnecessary and often traumatic disruption. Provides careful preparation and training, and lifetime support for adoptive families.

Press contact: Rachel Jasper, Coram Marketing & Communications, on 020 7520 0427 or 07949 561891 or rachelj@coram.org.uk