Can a Child be adopted without a naturel parents consent?

GrannyKate

Re the headmaster saying he must by law give information to NF I would suggest that you dispute this particularly now that your daughter is old enough to be recognised as having the capacity to give or refuse consent to information sharing herself. By law he must respect your daughter's right to privacy under the Data Protection Act. If there is a court order in place to say that nf must be given school information I would go back to the court and ask for this to be removed.

Vomityspice

If you want to explore the issue of adoption and what this will mean for you and your family then contact your Local Authority and discuss it with them. When I used to do it, it was always a nice job for social work students (once you sifted out the unsuitable ones!).

The process is not that intrusive, and to be fair, it should ascertain the context of the family structure. Adoption is a very important legal process, it shouldn't be done lightly.

In your case, the fact that the NF is unlikely to consent is just one of the hurdles the worker completing the assessment will have to negotiate. The fact that he may or may not have PR is irrelivant. He is the biological father (in law) so his views will be needed. The fact that he may disagree does not mean the S/Parent adoption can't proceed. As you child is able to express her own views (Gillick Competent) then this will also need to be taken into consideration. In addition, the fact that the NF has never taken an active role in the parenting of the child would go some way to evidense the reason why the Court should dispense with his views.

As some else has suggested, one advantage of an adoption order would mean that he would then not be required to pay maintenance. This may well encourage the NF to agree. However, be mindful that it works both ways, any inheritence that your daughter would be due (if he dies intestate) would then be lost.

As a final point, if you are concerned that information is being shared with the NF (via school) then you would need to apply for a Prohibited Steps Order (Section 8 Children Act 1989).

Ex Social Worker - Now Student Law (LLB) 3rd Year