Giving due consideration to ethnicity in adoption placements - a principled approach [2003] CFLQ 255

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 requires that 'due consideration' is given to ethnicity in adoption placements. However, if too much consideration is given to ethnicity, then the obligation to give paramount consideration to the child's welfare may be compromised. To resolve this problem, ethnicity should be considered only where all factors relating to a child's needs and wishes leave a decision maker with equally acceptable placement choices.