Canary Islands Government Freezes Adoption Applications for Spanish Minors
The Canary Islands Government has made a significant decision to halt the approval of new families for the adoption of Spanish minors, effective immediately. This move has raised concerns among many families eager to provide loving homes to children in need.
Currently, there are over 300 families who have expressed a desire to adopt, yet only 71 of these families have been officially recognized as suitable for the adoption process. The government has attributed this suspension to a critical shortage of children available for adoption within the region, which has created a bottleneck in the system.
Recurring Challenges in Adoption Applications
This latest announcement marks the second time in recent years that the regional government has had to pause the processing of adoption applications. The suspension of all new applications for suitability declarations will remain in effect until further notice, leaving many families in limbo regarding their hopes of expanding their families through adoption.
The previous suspension occurred in 2010, and despite the passage of 15 years since that time, the situation has not improved significantly. The waiting period for families hoping to adopt a child aged between zero and seven years remains around six years, a timeframe that many find disheartening. This prolonged wait underscores the challenges faced by prospective adoptive parents in the region.
Strain on the Adoption System and Lengthy Wait Times
The government has reported that the number of applications for suitability declarations has tripled in comparison to the number of children available for adoption. This stark imbalance has prompted the current decision to suspend new applications. As of December 1, there were 245 families on the waiting list for a single child aged between 0 and 7 years without special needs. This includes 142 families in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 103 in Las Palmas, highlighting the regional disparities in the adoption process.
In stark contrast to the overwhelming number of families waiting to adopt children without special needs, there are only 92 pending offers for the adoption of sibling groups or children with special needs. This includes 26 offers in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 66 in Las Palmas. The disparity in the number of families recognized as suitable for adoption versus the available offers paints a troubling picture of the adoption landscape in the Canary Islands.
The resolution indicates that 24 families are currently waiting to adopt a child aged between zero and seven years without special characteristics, while 12 families are in line to adopt sibling groups. Additionally, 35 families are looking to adopt one or two children with special needs. This situation highlights the urgent need for more families to be recognized as suitable for adoption, particularly in light of the existing offers.
Indefinite Suspension and Challenges in Foster Care
Due to the existing bottleneck in the adoption process, the government has announced that the processing of new suitability declarations will be indefinitely suspended starting Thursday. There is currently no timeline for when this suspension might be lifted, a situation that echoes the challenges faced in previous years.
While the adoption system grapples with a shortage of families, the foster care system is facing its own crisis. The Canary Islands is responsible for the care of over 4,500 unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents, which has placed immense strain on the existing resources and infrastructure. Furthermore, as of June, there were 1,748 Spanish children in care, with 56% (981) of these children living with foster families. This statistic underscores the pressing need for more foster families to step forward and provide care for vulnerable children.
The challenges within both the adoption and foster care systems highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and increased support for families looking to adopt or foster children. The government’s decision to freeze new adoption applications has left many families feeling frustrated and uncertain about their future, as they navigate the complexities of the adoption process.
Key points
- The Canary Islands Government has suspended new adoption applications indefinitely.
- Over 300 families are interested in adopting, but only 71 are recognized as suitable.
- This is the second suspension of adoption applications in the region.
- The waiting period for adopting a child aged 0-7 years is approximately six years.
- There are currently 245 families waiting to adopt a child without special needs.
- The foster care system is under strain, with over 4,500 unaccompanied migrant children in care.
- As of June, 1,748 Spanish children were in care, with 56% living with foster families.
