Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 09 Nov 2011 Adoption
"I of course welcome any initiatives that are being taken, and I am sure that more information will be presented about the pilots and process in Wales, which will help us all, throughout the country.
Turning to the streamlining of the process, I ask the Minister this: do the Government …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"I agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said. Of course we need to support Martin Narey, and I will come on to his report.
Another anecdotal example that one hears is that households are assessed through a form that is several pages long about the number of pets …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"The point is well made by my hon. Friend, and I thank him for the intervention. It is exactly that balance that perhaps we should all refer to this morning. There is a clear dividing line between assessing and safeguarding children and deciding whether they would be in any risk …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"I agree with my hon. Friend’s point. At the moment, all public law cases automatically go to the family proceedings court. They may then be transferred to higher courts, such as the county court or even the High Court. However, when we are dealing with strict time limits and concerns …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"I agree with my hon. Friend. Of course we need a common-sense approach. There are thousands of children in care who are waiting to be placed, and we must do all that we can to help them.
The issue of concurrent placements is important. Foster carers who are caring for …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I have many anecdotal examples of this issue. I have met many adoptive parents who have spent years hoping to adopt children and who have, eventually, had to turn to agencies overseas. It has taken years and cost them a huge amount to parent …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"I agree with everything that my hon. Friend said. I reiterate that there is a real momentum—within Government, across parties and across the country through The Times and other publications—to raise the profile of this issue, so we really must do more.
"I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. In my view, the Department is doing exactly that; it is examining the entire process of adoption, root and branch, in detail. So I am confident that those points are being considered. Her point about the need for post-adoption support is a …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"T7. In light of the recent UK adoption rate figures, will my hon. Friend set out what steps the Government are taking to continue to encourage prospective adopting parents to come forward to be assessed? Those in Erewash and throughout the UK could provide much-needed homes for looked-after children...." Jessica Lee - View Speech
"In Erewash, we have seen a number of academy schools established over the past year, including two conversions by the Ormiston trust, which stepped forward and opened those two schools during this academic year. The pace of change has already been mentioned, but for me it is the positive response …..." Jessica Lee - View Speech