Contents
Introduction 5
Adoption in context 7
Adoption and permanence 7
The rights of children and families 11
Speeding up adoption for the benefit of the child 12
Impact of delay 12
Delays caused by care proceedings and delays in bringing children into care 13
Early intervention 16
Delays after entering care 17
Early placement 18
Delays caused by kinship care assessments 19
Delays in matching children with prospective adopters 20
Social work culture and practice 21
The voice of the child 23
Independent Reviewing Officers 23
The role of CAFCASS 24
The structure of adoption services 26
Approving adopters more quickly 29
The National Adoption Register 30
Measuring outcomes of adoption 31
Post-adoption support 32
The case for post-adoption support 32
The needs of adopted children 35
Support for children subject to Special Guardianship Orders and kinship care placements 38
Innovative funding mechanisms 40
Post-adoption contact 41
Access to information 43
Access to information by descendants of adopted people 43
Resourcing of intermediary services 43
Disclosure of identifying information in England and Wales 44
Intercountry adoption 45
Delay 45
Safeguarding children 47
Support for children adopted from overseas 49
Costs 50
Summary of the Government's action 51