Adopting Nadia

Adoption
Adoption may be the best option for children who are unable to grow up with their birth parents, but it is a complex process, and there is a need for strict controls to ensure that each adoption is carried out in a lawful and professional manner. When children are adopted from another country it is particularly important to try to make sure that the adoption is truly in the best interests of the child. The UK 2002 Children and Adoption Act and the International Hague Conventions on Intercountry Adoption aim to safeguard the rights of birth parents, and the rights, protection and welfare of the children, and to prohibit improper financial gain.
Unfortunately, in some cases the rights of children and parents are abused. Examples include misinformation to the birth family of the child and international trade trafficking of children for adoption.

The Role of ISS UK
ISS UK is involved in a variety of adoption cases. Cases may involve a child being brought from abroad for adoption, step-parents adopting a child where both the birth parents are living abroad or simply providing information fo prospective intercountry adopters.
ISS UK can contribute to the adoption process by arranging for the exchange of necessary information. We may be asked to obtain relevant documents; to obtain medical information; to check the family history of a child; to make sure that an estranged parent knows of and understands the proposed adoption of his or her child; to arrange for the assessment of prospective adoptive parents or to obtain references.
We also try to reduce the risks of inter-country adoption by liaising with individuals and authorities in the UK and overseas; advising them of the legal requirements and processes; checking that these processes are adhered to, and ensuring a full exchange of information between the two countries involved. Because ISS UK understands the adoption process in an international context, and has professional contacts with the relevant authorities in each country, it is possible to take appropriate action when irregularities occur.

Nadia
Nadia was brought from India for the purpose of adoption. However, when she arrived in the UK she was physically mistreated, made a domestic servant and denied a sufficient education.
The case came to the attention of the local authority who contacted ISS UK to confirm the adoption. Following contact made with India, it was discovered that the adoption was not made in line with either the procedures of the Hague convention of Intercountry Adoption or the domestic adoption laws of the country. Based on the information that was received from India, the Local Authority in UK made the decision to place Nadia child in a private fostering arrangement in UK. Nadia is now in a caring home environment and attending school.