Conference Programme

• Opening Address

Welcome and introduction from the Executive Officer Auckland Medical Aid Trust. Positioning AMAT in relation to national and international trends in adoption

• Adoption Resource Centre Developments

Update from the administrator of the AMAT Adoption Resource Centre in Auckland: Implications for AMAT of research on pre- and post-adoption services in Australia; Possibilities for extendning provision of services from the Adoption Resource Centre; Preparation and evaluation of education programme for families and individuals considering adoption.

• Public and Private Provision of Adoption Services

Guest Speaker Betty-Ann Kelly

Presentation of findings from research into the public and private provision of adoption services in New Zealand; including an analysis of policy and recommendations for change in the policy and practices of adoption. Betty-Ann's paper

• Adoption: Options for Reform: A Discussion paper for the Review of the Adoption Laws

Preparation of draft submission to the Law Commission established to review the legal framework for adoption as set out in the Adoption Act 1955 and the Adult Adoption Act 1985 and to recommend whether and how the framework should be modified to address contemporary social needs. Development of a multi-perspectival view on adoption, from which to evaluate the Law Commission’s report Adoption: Options for Reform.

• Interim Standards for Intercountry Adoption

Analysis of the Interim Standards for Approval for Accredited Bodies for the purposes of providing Intercountry Adoption Services under delegation under the Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997. Development of an approach by the Auckland Medical Aid Trust for application to provide assessment services. Preparation of questions and processes for introductory meeting with representative from CYPFA

• Closing Session

Conference evaluation and planning by Trustees for next conference