Families and adoption

Describes how & why adoption has changed and discusses the problems with current legislation, policy and practice.

Relatively small numbers of children and families in the UK have direct experience of adoption, yet it arouses a great deal of emotion and controversy.

Most recently, some sections of the media have suggested that large numbers of children are being left to 'drift' in the care system when they could be with adoptive parents.

New research suggests that the reality is more complex, but it does confirm that there are problems with the current adoption system.

The New Labour Government clearly believes that the existing system is failing to meet the needs of children and their prospective families.

In February 2000 it announced that a Cabinet committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, would review existing legislation and procedures with the aim of speeding up the adoption process.

The Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) was commissioned to carry out a two-month study of the adoption system and its findings were published in July 2000. The Prime Minister introduced this report by stating that his Government is 'committed to modernising adoption', and a White Paper is now expected by the end of the year.

This Briefing Paper describes how and why adoption has changed and discusses the problems with current legislation, policy and practice.

It also makes a contribution to the debate about the future of adoption, drawing on examples of practice in other countries.