Adoption and Children (Northern Ireland) Bill

Summary

The Department sought views on a draft Adoption and Children Bill. The intention behind the Bill is to overhaul and modernise the legal framework for adoption that will preserve what works well in our current system but will introduce a range of new measures to give effect to the Department’s policy and strategy.

The aim of the consultation was to seek views on the detail of the Bill. The paper also highlighted legislative reform relating to adoption and children which has taken place in Scotland, England and Wales over the last decade and sought views on whether those reforms should be implemented in the north of Ireland.

On 7 July 2021, the Department published a report summarising the outcome of the consultation exercise.

Also, following the consultation exercise the draft Adoption and Children Bill was further amended. A copy of the draft Bill, which is subject to Assembly approval, can be accessed below.