ETHICAL ADOPTION

When a child is in need of an alternative care arrangement, intercountry adoption when conducted in the best interests of the child can provide a child with security, stability and permanency.

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When considering intercountry adoption, every party involved in the process must ensure that every effort has been made to return the child to his/her birth family and that there should be a priority given to preventing abandonment. Should this not be possible, then domestic adoption may be considered as the next option.

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The overseas country should be supported and encouraged to implement a system based on the development of domestic family type solutions for children separated from their family (where such systems are not currently in place). This makes it possible to decrease the need for intercountry adoption. Intercountry adoption should only take place after a long-term family solution has been actively sought in the child’s country of origin. There are situations where a child’s individual needs may determine that intercountry adoption could be prioritised e.g. an urgent medical need where relatives are living overseas.

(Reference: International Social Service)

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Stringently following the processes outlined above helps to ensure safeguards for the child against abduction, sale or trafficking. These are fundamental principles of the Hague Convention and we only facilitate adoptions from countries who have acceded to or ratified the Hague Convention and who rigorously apply the standards. The Hague Convention provides the framework and protections for adoptive parents to have the comfort and knowledge that the adoption has been conducted through legal means, that no illegitimate payments have been made and that the child can safely travel to New Zealand.

 

In the future adoptive parents will be able to truthfully answer the adopted child’s questions.

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