24/01/2013

Councils Warned To Speed Up Adoption Or Lose Powers

The government has warned councils they could lose their powers over adoption services if they take too long to find adoptive parents.

The warning highlighted that it was a last chance for local authorities to show they could recruit the adopters needed, otherwise new laws could require them to outsource adoption services.

"Currently there are significant weaknesses in the way local authorities bring in more adopters. The government is not prepared to see these children miss out because the adoption recruitment system is failing," ministers have said.

Official figures show that there were 4,600 children waiting to be adopted in England in March 2012.

Some 600 extra adopters a year were needed to cope with demand, as well as another 3,000 to deal with a backlog.

(H/GK)


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