Adopt Berkshire declined to progress Sandeep and Reena Mander’s application on the basis they only had white British pre-school children available, already had a surfeit of white British pre-approved prospective adopters and priority would be given to white couples. The agency suggested they adopt a child from India.
Ruling in Mander & Mander v Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead at Oxford County Court, Judge Melissa Clarke held that the couple were discriminated against on the grounds of race. She awarded them general damages of £29,000 and special damages of £60,000 damages for the cost of adopting overseas. The couple have now adopted a child from the US.
The council said it always put the interests of the child first and would review its policies.
