Adoptions

Dear Melizza Moore

Re: Freedom of Information Act 2000

Thank you for your request for information.

We have completed the search of our records and I can confirm the
following:

During the period 1st November 2006 to 31st March 2010 there were 71
children adopted from Local Authority care where the consent was
dispensed with.

These are cases where parent/guardians contest the making of an adoption
order by withholding their consent, but where the court has decided that
the child's welfare requires the court to dispense with the
parent/guardian consent and make the adoption order.

Staffordshire's policy is in-line with the Working Together Safeguarding
Children's Guidance that children would only be taken away from parents
if it was felt that they would be suffering abuse, neglect and their
welfare was at risk.

If you have any queries or require any further information please do not
hesitate to contact me.

In the first instance if you have any comments relating to how your
request has been handled by our authority, please contact Philip Jones,
Head of Information Governance, Information Governance Unit, 1a Bailey
Street, Stafford, ST17 4BG.

If you have any further comments relating to how your request has been
handled by our authority, please contact the Information Commissioner,
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Regards
Gemma Allen
Access to Information Officer
Information Governance Unit
Law and Governance Directorate
Staffordshire County Council
1A Bailey Street
Stafford
ST17 4BG
Telephone: 01785 278568
Fax: 01785 278362
[email address]

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