Berkshire, UK: A British Sikh couple are bringing a legal case, claiming they were advised by an adoption agency not to apply because of their “cultural heritage”.

Sandeep and Reena Mander said they had wanted to adopt a child of any ethnic background.

But they were told that, as only white children were in need, white British or European applicants would be given preference, meaning they were unlikely to be selected.

Instead, the Berkshire-based couple allege, they were advised to try to adopt from India – a country with which they have no close links.

“Giving an adopted child – no matter what race – the security of a loving home was all we wanted to do,” Sandeep Mander said.

“What we didn’t expect was a refusal for us to even apply for adoption, not because of our incapability to adopt, but because our cultural heritage was defined as ‘Indian/Pakistani’,” he told the Times.

The Manders said they had been trying to conceive for about seven years, and had gone through 16 IVF sessions, before deciding to try to adopt.

They attended introductory workshops organised by their local authority, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and its adoption agency, Adopt Berkshire.

They said their case was first taken up by Theresa May, who is their local MP, during her time as home secretary.

“Mrs May was shocked and was very helpful. Her office wrote letters but nothing happened,” Sandeep Mander said.

“When prime minister, she sent further letters and involved the then minister for children and he suggested we take legal advice.”

The couple have been approved to adopt from the US, which is expected to cost them about £60,000.

Adopt Berkshire’s website says children in need of adoption “will reflect the racial, cultural and religious backgrounds of the populations within the areas from which they originate”.

It adds that the authority will seek prospective parents of a similar background to the child, though they would not keep children waiting to “achieve a direct match”.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead did not respond to a request for comment.

 

(source: Guardian)