Closed petition Adoption allowance for self employed people

Closed on 23 August 2014

This e-petition highlights the discrimination faced by Self Employed people wishing to adopt children.
As an `employee' it has been recognised that there is an entitlement to Statutory Adoption Pay, as there is for Statutory Maternity Pay. For Self Employed people there is Maternity Allowance. Therefore it should follow that a Self Employed person adopting should be entitled to Adoption Allowance – however this is not the case – there is NO allowance! With the current drive to address the shortage of adoptive parents the lack of financial support is staggering. This is particluarly the case when single adopters or one partner of adopters are required to take a minimum of 6 to12 months off work!

I petition the Government to introduce an Adoption Allowance comparable with Maternity Allowance for Self Employed people. This cost would support adopters who are rehoming children in loving families which has a massive social benefit for all.