s 4.6. The structure of white, black and minority ethnic groups is often complex and their heritage diverse, where racial origin, religion, language and culture has varying degrees of importance in the daily lives of individuals. It is important that social workers avoid ‘labelling’ a child or placing the child’s ethnicity above other relevant characteristics without good cause when looking for an adoptive family for the child11. 4.7. A prospective adopter can be matched with a child with whom they do not share the same ethnicity, provided they can meet the most important of the child’s identified needs. The core issue is what qualities, experiences and attributes the prospective adopter can draw on and their level of understanding of the discrimination and racism the child may be confronted with when growing up. This applies equally whether a child is placed with a black or minority ethnic family, a white family, or a family which includes members of different ethnic origins. 4.8. All families should help children placed with them to understand and appreciate their background and culture. Where the child and prospective adopter do not share the same background, the prospective adopter will need flexible and creative support. This should be in the form of education and training, not just simplistic advice, provided in a vacuum, on learning their children’s cultural traditions or about the food/cooking from their birth heritage. The support plan should consider how the child’s understanding of their background and origin might be enhanced. This can include providing opportunities for children to meet others from similar backgrounds, and to practise their religion – both in a formal place of worship and in the home. Maintaining continuity of the heritage of their birth fa