AFKA Legal Conference, Early Bird Offer!!!!!!

The Changing Face of Permanence

Children need the stability, security and certainty achieved by effective permanence; adoption, permanent fostering and kinship care provide this where children cannot live with their parents. It is vital that legislation, policy and practice continue to develop in a way that is child centred. We have already experienced enormous change in these sectors and are likely to continue to do so, particularly in light of the findings of the Independent Care Review which brought about The Promise.

This year's conference is a timely opportunity for those involved in permanence to reflect on how we can adapt to meet these challenges.

It will be chaired by The Hon Lady Carmichael, judge of the Supreme Court and designated as a family judge in the Court of Session

Following our tradition of inviting informed and stimulating speakers we are delighted to welcome to announce our first guest speakers.

Sir Andrew McFarlane is President of the Family Division, Royal Courts of Justice; he will provide an insight into the legal landscape of permanence in England and Wales.

Sheriff Daniel P Kelly sits in Glasgow Sheriff Court where decisions about children are made on a daily basis. Sheriff Kelly was previously a Children’s Reporter and former procurator fiscal.

Other speakers will be announced over the coming months and we will update you on these.

This is our first in person legal conference for 3 years and we look forward to welcoming back our members and colleagues for this popular annual event.  Book now and take advantage of our early bird offer.

Download the final report / briefing paper

Children Moving Between UK Nations

Children Moving Between UK nations reports on a research study undertaken by AFKA Scotland in 2021-22, funded by Scotland’s Adoption Register. It is the first national study, to our knowledge, which explores the frequency and context of children from elsewhere in the UK placed for adoption with families across Scotland. The study gathered first hand experiences and insights of both parents from Scotland who adopted their child(ren) from other UK jurisdictions and workers from both Local Authorities and Voluntary Adoption Agencies who have supported cross border adoptions. It was carried out by Jessica Cleary and Maggie Grant.

For further information on the findings and outputs from this project, please contact Jess Cleary.  Further information and both the full report and briefing paper can be found here

The Promise Scotland

Evaluation of Siblings Reunited (STAR) Update – Now Interviewing Participants

In our July edition, we advised you of the launching of an evaluation of the STAR Project in Fife, funded by The Promise Scotland. Since then, both the online and post-box surveys have seen a steady stream of responses. 

Our Researchers, Mark and Saphsa are now looking to conduct online or face-to-face interviews with the following people:

• brothers and sisters aged 13 or above who attend STAR or have done so in the past;
• carers and parents of brothers or sisters who attend STAR or have done so in the past;
• social workers who are working, or have worked, with a child who attends STAR.

If you would like to talk about your experiences and can spare an hour to talk to us, please email Mark Hardy mark.hardy@afkascotland.org. If you know of someone who may be interested in participating then please pass this on to them. Further details about the project are provided here.