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Dan Kitwood/PA Wire
UK News

Christian charity welcomes PM's adoption plans

by Hannah Tooley

David Cameron wants it to be speeded up to end the "tragedy" of children waiting for long periods to be placed with a new family.

Norman Goodwin, Chief Executive of Christian adoption agency, Adoption Matters, told Premier's News Hour that is a good idea in practice, however the current system works.

He said that critics accuse the process of paperwork of taking too long, however he argues it works well as long as the children are protected: "We have to be very careful in terms of how children's lives are safeguarded, so appropriate checks have to take place and the appropriate measures will have to be put in place from that aspect."

He added that he has seen families keen to adopt whatever the length of the process: "We've been really impressed by the people who've come forward, who have a heart for adoption but have a heart from the types of children that we're really seeking to please."

The Prime Minister wants to double the number of children, around 10% at present, being placed with adoptive families before legal proceedings have been completed.

He said: "It is a tragedy that there are still too many children waiting to be placed with a loving family - we have made real progress but it remains a problem.

"As Prime Minister I want to make sure that we do everything we can so children are placed in a loving home as soon as possible, giving them the best chance for a happy and fulfilled life."

However almost half of English councils, around 68 of 152, had no children placed with their adoptive families early, according to the most recent figures.

Mr Cameron has called for the numbers of early placements to double, meaning 500 more children could be settled in their adoptive homes sooner.

As part of the plans, all councils will be required to say how many children go to live with their families early.

Ministers believe early placement schemes can reduce by half the time families wait for legalities to be finalised.

Listen to Premier's Marcus Jones speak to Norman Goodwin here:

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