Isle of Man Government – Final steps before modernising adoption law ‘goes live’

Groundbreaking Adoption Act 2021 If the regulations are approved at the Tynwald meeting in June, they could be “activated”.

If approved, the Adoption Act 2021 will come into effect on July 1, 2024.

These nine provisions: Six of these require approval from Tynwald Council Three of the segments are simply set-ups, covering underlying details that aren’t part of the main performance.

The regulations set out how island adoption agencies should operate, which adopters and adoption records should be kept, and require funding to help with welfare support for adopted children.

Once “launched,” the archipelago’s modernized adoption laws will make the process easier for vulnerable children and prospective adoptive families by streamlining the application process, improving accessibility and reducing delays for families.

This will also bring the island’s legislation into line with that of England and Wales. Settlements between the two jurisdictions are fairly frequent and this will help make the process smoother.

A core part of the new law is ensuring that children’s views are taken into account as far as possible at every stage of the process.

Other key changes mean cohabiting couples will be able to apply for adoption orders jointly, whereas previously this right was limited to married couples.

With the introduction of a new two-stage adoption process, suitability reviews will also be streamlined, reducing the time children have to wait to be adopted in the department’s care.

Minister for Health and Social Care Lawrie Hooper MHK said:

“I am confident that these regulations and the modernised Adoption Act will have a hugely positive impact on families on the Isle of Man. These reforms are vital to reducing delays, improving accessibility for prospective adoptive parents and strengthening safeguards for adopted children. Importantly, they will also put adoptees at the centre of the process, ensuring that the welfare of the child is the primary consideration in every decision made by the adoption agency or the courts. I hope that my colleagues at Tynwald will approve these final regulations so that we can quickly roll out this new Act and start to have an impact.”

The Adoption Act 2021 received Royal Assent in October 2021 and since then the Department of Health and Social Care has been developing the relevant regulations and ensuring staff in all relevant areas of government are prepared and trained in readiness for the new Act to come into force.

If approved in June, the Isle of Man adoption webpage, guidance booklet and advice will be updated to reflect the new process.