ADOPTION ACT 1994 - SCHEDULE 2
ADOPTION ACT 1994 - SCHEDULE 2
[s. 46(5), 50(3)(a), 55(2), 68(2)(d)(i), 70(2) and 76(4)(b)]
[Heading amended: No. 19 of 2010 s. 4.]
(1) A significant
feature of the infancy stage is that the child needs to be able to trust
others to care for and nurture the child. The child has the right —
(a) to
be cared for and nurtured; and
(b) to
develop attachment to the adoptive family without undue disruption by the
birth parents.
(2) Before consenting
to the child’s adoption, the child’s birth parents have the right
to make an informed and unpressured decision about the child’s future.
After consenting to the child’s adoption, the child’s birth
parents have the right to negotiate as to the provision of information and the
extent of any contact between the parties.
(3) There is no right
to adopt a child. The adoptive or prospective adoptive parent with whom the
child is placed with a view to the child’s adoption has the right to
bond to the child.
(1) A significant
feature of the childhood stage is the development of autonomy and initiative.
The child has the right —
(a) to
belong to a secure family system, extending to friends, schooling and
neighbourhood activities; and
(b) to
know about the adoption in a manner appropriate to the child and the
child’s stage of development.
(2) The birth parents
have a responsibility during this stage to respect the privacy of the
child’s adoptive family.
(3) The adoptive
parent has the right —
(a) to
rear the child without undue disruption by the birth parents; and
(b) to
family privacy,
and a responsibility
to inform the child of the adoption.
(1) A significant
feature of adolescence is the development of the child’s sense of
identity. The child has the right to resolve identity issues and is to be
responsible for the effects of his or her actions on others if access to
information is made available.
(2) The birth parents
have a responsibility to be aware of the child’s needs when responding
to requests for information about the child’s origins.
(3) The adoptive
parent has the right —
(a) to
rear the child without undue disruption by the birth parents; and
(b) to
family privacy,
and has a
responsibility to support the child during any identity crisis and be
responsive to the child’s needs.
(1) A significant
feature of adulthood is forming and consolidating relationships. The
child’s right to information about the birth parents increases in
importance as the child approaches adulthood.
(2) The birth
parents’ right to information about the child increases in importance as
the child approaches adulthood.
(3) The adoptive
parent’s right to control the exchange of information and any contact
between the child and the birth parents lessens as the child approaches
adulthood.