Challenges to the Fostering and Adoption of Muslim Children in The British Care System

Abstract

The number of Muslim foster children coming into care in the UK is increasing; however, the number of Muslim foster carers is not. Should care workers attempt to place Muslim children in Muslim homes? Or – as some have suggested – could this be deleterious to them, or be simply irrelevant? While many Muslim children are in foster care in the UK, there is often insufficient cultural training among workers, and some unfortunate situations have resulted in the suffering or even suicide of Muslim children in care. At the same time, it is not always apparent why there is a lack of Muslim foster carers – is it a religious concern, or due to some other reason? In response to these pressing concerns, this article examines the legal and practical implications of fostering and adoption law and policy in Britain. It includes an examination of the barriers preventing Muslim carers from coming into fostering and adoption, as well as the sensitive issue of caring for maḥram and non-maḥram children. It also reviews Islamic principles of adoption to determine how religious concerns intersect with the concerns of the state. Ultimately it aims to determine if British law, policies, or social work practices should be revised.