Work and Families Bill

moved Amendment No. 2:"After Clause 2, insert the following new clause—" ““FOSTER PARENTS INVOLVED IN CONCURRENT PLANNING SCHEME In section 171ZL(2)(a) of SSCBA 1992 (entitlement) at end insert ““including an adoptive parent who was initially a foster parent under a concurrent planning scheme””.”” The noble Baroness said: The amendment inserts additional wording into the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 to enable foster parents who have become adoptive parents under the concurrent scheme to be entitled to adoption pay. Amendments Nos. 6 and 9 ensure that similar provisions are added to Clauses 4 and 7, enabling them to qualify for additional paternity leave adoption and additional statutory paternity pay adoption. I consider Amendments Nos. 6 and 9 to be consequential to the acceptance of the idea that those foster parents who become adoptive parents under the concurrent scheme should qualify for adoption pay and leave. At Second Reading I highlighted the concern among fostering and adoption experts with regard to concurrent planning schemes. I remind Members of the Committee that concurrent planning schemes are those in which potential carers are approved both as foster carers and adopters for the same child. A baby is placed with them on an interim foster basis while the birth family is assessed. When it is established that the baby cannot return to its birth parents, the placement is converted to an adoption application. However, as the law currently stands, the adoptive parents are not eligible for adoption leave or pay, nor are their rights to return to work protected. Concurrence is a bold initiative aimed at the least possible disruption and upheaval to the baby, and yet the risks the potential adopters face are enormous. Not only do they face emotional hurt but they face considerable financial burdens. Because of the very nature of concurrent planning schemes they have instability written all over them. And yet there are amazing, selfless, exceptional people who are willing to put themselves through the emotional and financial wringer to give a baby born into difficult and challenging circumstances a real chance. On Second Reading the Minister said:"““Concurrent adoptions are under consideration and we are considering how the leave and pay rules may apply to concurrent placements””.—[Official Report, 14/2/2006; col. 1125.]" I am confident that the Minister will have given this careful thought. I look forward to hearing what he has to say. It may well be that our amendment is not the best way to achieve the fairness I am sure we all desire but it is a starting point for discussion. I beg to move.