Key Government adoption role for Krish 

Baptist church member Krish Kandiah has been given an exciting opportunity to improve the adoption system after being appointed as the new chair of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (ASGLB)

 
Dr Kandiah is the founder of the charity Home for Good in 2013, a charity which seeks to mobilise the church in finding a home for every child who needs one.

A statement announcing his appointment described him as ‘a critical friend to the Government on adoption policies for many years,’ adding that Dr Kandiah comes to the role with the ‘unique experience of being an adoptive parent himself who is passionate about championing for more people from all walks of life to come forward as loving adoptive parents.’

The Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board is a national board that has been jointly developed by the Department for Education and the local authority and voluntary adoption sectors. It plays a vital role in decision-making and driving improvements in adoption and special guardianship services in England, to ensure that all children and families are given the support they need to thrive.

As chair of the ASGLB, Dr Kandiah will ‘play an instrumental role in driving improvements in the sector’, continued the statement, working closely with the Department for Education to continue raising the bar with the adoption system and in the lives of vulnerable children.

Dr Kandiah, of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Thame, said, ‘Right now there are over 2,550 children waiting for adoption. Each one of them needs a unique loving family to commit to them for life despite all the trauma they have faced in the past and whatever their futures might hold.

‘I count it a huge privilege to take on the chairing of the Leadership Board and am looking forward to working with colleagues to find parents for all the children that are waiting and to provide great support for all adopted families. I take on this role as an adopted father, a foster parent and a birth dad keen to find the right solution for every child.’

Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford announced his new role during a speech at Coram British Association of Adoption and Fostering’s 40th anniversary event in December.

She said, ‘We simply cannot overstate how important a stable loving family is.

‘I am delighted to announce Krish Kandiah as the new Chair of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board, who will work with us to make improvements to the adoption system, boosting vital for support adopters and their families so every child can be placed in a loving, stable home.’

Dr Kandiah has now stepped back from his role at Home for Good to ensure there is no conflict of interest.
 
Tarn Bright, Home for Good CEO, said, ‘Taking on the leadership of this board is a significant and fantastic opportunity for Krish to influence and bring change at a very high level, and we know that he will be doing this with his heart for vulnerable children right at the centre.
 
‘Combining this with his extensive experience and skillset, Krish is the ideal person to take up this position and we at Home for Good will be cheering him on at every step.’