The number of parents claiming their children have been removed from them unjustly has reached record levels, a BBC investigation has found.
The number of parents claiming their children have been removed from them unjustly has reached record levels, a BBC investigation has found.
Campaigners and MPs say they have found more than 100 cases where children may have been put up for adoption without sufficient evidence.
Campaigners and MPs say they have found more than 100 cases where children may have been put up for adoption without sufficient evidence.
They say social workers are rushing cases to hit adoption targets.
They say social workers are rushing cases to hit adoption targets.
They also claim the secrecy of the family courts is stopping parents properly challenging adoptions.
They also claim the secrecy of the family courts is stopping parents properly challenging adoptions.
The government introduced new targets for adoption in 2000 to prevent children "languishing" in the care system.
The government introduced new targets for adoption in 2000 to prevent children "languishing" in the care system.
'I wanted to die'
'I wanted to die'
Some 1,300 babies under a month old are now being adopted every year, compared with 500 when the present government came into power in 1997.
Some 1,300 babies under a month old are now being adopted every year, compared with 500 when the present government came into power in 1997.
Campaigners say a growing number of these are suspect.
Campaigners say a growing number of these are suspect.
BBC Radio 4's Face the Facts spoke to a mother, Amanda, who claims she was giving birth in a hospital in Scotland when the authorities arrived to take her baby.
BBC Radio 4's Face the Facts spoke to a mother, Amanda, who claims she was giving birth in a hospital in Scotland when the authorities arrived to take her baby.
She said: "Officers and a social worker walked in. They took the babe and it was very, very quick. I just felt like I wanted to die."
She said: "Officers and a social worker walked in. They took the babe and it was very, very quick. I just felt like I wanted to die."
Children have been removed from their families unjustly - there's no two ways about that Sarah HarmanFamily law solicitor
Children have been removed from their families unjustly - there's no two ways about that Sarah HarmanFamily law solicitor
The programme also heard from a father who had his two sons unjustly adopted. He said he received a written apology from the local authority but because his children had already been adopted he has been told he will never get them back.
The programme also heard from a father who had his two sons unjustly adopted. He said he received a written apology from the local authority but because his children had already been adopted he has been told he will never get them back.
Social workers told the programme they were being put under pressure to meet the 2000 adoption targets.
Social workers told the programme they were being put under pressure to meet the 2000 adoption targets.
Lawyers and social workers also told the programme that parents could not effectively challenge adoptions because of the time limit on appeals and the secrecy of family courts.
Lawyers and social workers also told the programme that parents could not effectively challenge adoptions because of the time limit on appeals and the secrecy of family courts.
Family law solicitor Sarah Harman said: "Secrecy breeds bad practice, it breeds suspicion. It feeds parents' sense of injustice when they have their children removed that they're not able to talk about it.
Family law solicitor Sarah Harman said: "Secrecy breeds bad practice, it breeds suspicion. It feeds parents' sense of injustice when they have their children removed that they're not able to talk about it.
"They're not able to air their grievances. Children have been removed from their families unjustly. There's no two ways about that."
"They're not able to air their grievances. Children have been removed from their families unjustly. There's no two ways about that."
We're seeing perhaps three to four new cases being referred to us every day John Hemming Justice for Families
We're seeing perhaps three to four new cases being referred to us every day John Hemming Justice for Families
MPs are campaigning for a public inquiry into the adoption system.
MPs are campaigning for a public inquiry into the adoption system.
John Hemming, Lib Dem MP for Birmingham Yardley, who is also chairman of the Justice for Families group, said: "We're seeing perhaps three to four new cases being referred to us every day."
John Hemming, Lib Dem MP for Birmingham Yardley, who is also chairman of the Justice for Families group, said: "We're seeing perhaps three to four new cases being referred to us every day."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) denied children were being taken from their birth parents in order to meet overall adoption targets.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) denied children were being taken from their birth parents in order to meet overall adoption targets.
New scheme
New scheme
A spokesman said government policy was that children should live with their parents wherever possible.
A spokesman said government policy was that children should live with their parents wherever possible.
He said there had been a national target to increase the number of "looked after children" adopted and place children for adoption more quickly.
He said there had been a national target to increase the number of "looked after children" adopted and place children for adoption more quickly.
But he added that this was only if they had already been assessed as suitable for adoption and it had been decided that adoption was in the child's best interests.
But he added that this was only if they had already been assessed as suitable for adoption and it had been decided that adoption was in the child's best interests.
The Ministry of Justice said it had restricted access to family courts to safeguard children's privacy and anonymity.
The Ministry of Justice said it had restricted access to family courts to safeguard children's privacy and anonymity.
It said it is to pilot a new scheme where more information will be given in cases with a significant public interest.
It said it is to pilot a new scheme where more information will be given in cases with a significant public interest.
A court would decide whether to produce a transcript, judgment of decision summary at the end of such cases which would then be given to the people involved and the reasons behind the decision made available online for public scrutiny.
A court would decide whether to produce a transcript, judgment of decision summary at the end of such cases which would then be given to the people involved and the reasons behind the decision made available online for public scrutiny.
Face The Facts will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 1230 BST on Friday and repeated on Sunday, 26 August, at 2100 BST.
Face The Facts will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 1230 BST on Friday and repeated on Sunday, 26 August, at 2100 BST.
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