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Plans To Speed Up Adoptions In Queen's Speech

Plans To Speed Up Adoptions In Queen's Speech

New plans to speed up adoption rates are going to be included in the Queen's Speech, the Department for Education has announced.

Under the proposals, local authorities will be forced to merge their services, allowing children to be matched with new families sooner.

The government has claimed adoption is "happening at too small and localised a scale". There are more than 3,000 children waiting to be matched at present – and the majority of them have spent more than 18 months in care.

Edward Timpson, children and families minister, has said the current system "isn't good enough".

He added: "Every single day a child spends waiting in care for their new family is a further delay to a life full of love and stability.

"By coming together and joining forces, councils can make sure more children are matched with families far quicker – regardless of where they live."

More than 5,000 children were found a permanent home last year, according to the DfE – a record increase of 26% over 12 months.