Douglas was born to an 18-year-old unmarried girl in the northeast of England and placed for adoption in London as a baby. The family included a sister, also adopted.

He was executive director of community services for the London borough of Havering and chair of the London group of the Association of Directors of Social Services. In April 2002 he moved to become the director of social care for Suffolk County Council. He is also (April 2002) vice-chair of the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, and has written books on child protection, mental health and adoption.

He met his birth father in 1978.

References

Suffolk County Council. Press release. available at: http://www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/press_releases/2002/P02.135.html
Douglas, Anthony. "Losing out in Adoption: Priority Should be Given to Keeping Families Together," The Guardian [London], 23 August 2000. Also available at: http://society.guardian.co.uk/adoption/story/0,8150,468373,00.html

Indexes

European
Uk/great Britain
20th Century
21st Century
Social Services and Social Sciences
Formal, American/European-Type Adoption
Birth or Infancy
Unmarried Mother, Single Parent (Mother or Father) Unable to Cope
Others ("Strangers")
Wealthy, Famous, Noble or Divine Adoptive or Foster Families
Unmarried Mother
Contact Suspended or Stopped