Government extends parental allowance to self-employed adopters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:46 · Archive

The Government has announced a parental allowance for self-employed adopters, extending financial support previously unavailable to them.

The Government has announced a new parental allowance for self-employed adopters as part of its October Budget. Self-employed adopters have previously been ineligible for statutory adoption pay, leaving them without financial support during the early weeks of welcoming a child into their family.

Adoption Matters, a children's charity, has welcomed the announcement as a 'significant and welcome move' towards greater equity for adoptive families. The allowance will also support employed adopters who currently do not qualify for statutory parental payments. Susy White, chief executive of Adoption Matters, said: 'For too long, self-employed adopters have faced an unfair disadvantage when taking time away from work when they are adopting.' She added that the extra financial support helps children 'settle, build trusting relationships and feel secure within their new family', particularly for those who have experienced trauma and uncertainty.

White said the charity hopes the measure will encourage more people from diverse backgrounds and professions to consider adoption. However, she acknowledged that 'there is still work to do to ensure adoption leave and pay arrangements are fully equitable for all adoptive families'. The Government estimates the wider package of parental support measures will benefit more than 150,000 parents across Britain each year.

How it is being reported

• Warrington adoption charity welcomes new support for self-employed parentsAdoption Matters welcomes new Government Parental Allowance for self-employed adopters, offering vital financial support to adoptive families across Britain.Warrington Guardian · 30 Oct, 18:00
• Chester adoption charity welcomes new parental allowanceAdoption Matters welcomes Budget plans for a parental allowance supporting self-employed adopters, helping more than 150,000 parents across Britain each year.Chester Standard · 30 Oct, 18:00

In this story: Adoption Matters · Susy White · Government · Britain · Warrington · Chester

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