4,000 children have found new homes – a good start to build on

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/29/observer-editorial-adoption

Version 0 of 1.

Sweeping reforms to a system previously too encumbered by red tape have resulted in a surge in the number of adoptions to a 21-year high, with almost 4,000 children finding permanent homes in the past 12 months. The placements of older children and mixed-race youngsters have seen a particularly sharp rise and that is very welcome. Much of the credit for this improvement must lie with Sir Martin Narey, former head of Barnardo's, appointed ministerial adviser on adoption in 2011.

His report published in the same year proposed, among other measures, a score card for local authorities with the goal of ensuring that the placement of a child from care to an appropriate family should take place within 12 months. The average time continues to be two years and seven months, during which period a child sadly may be moved between care homes or foster families.

Critics of the Narey reforms rightly voiced concerns that speed may damage the tricky process of matching child and family and underplay the importance of acknowledging the cultural, religious and ethnic elements that contribute to a child's identity. It is estimated that an average of one in four placements breaks down, rising to one in two for older children.

Concerns have also been raised that in cases of domestic violence, for instance, children are too speedily put up for adoption while grandparents and relatives may be overlooked in the rush to find alternative suitable "new" parents. Other challenges remain. Social workers point out that it is not they who cause the delay, but the courts.

However, a good beginning has been made, not least in the recently announced £19.3m adoption fund to give support to families. Adoption involves a gruelling selection process for would-be parents. It is a small miracle that a growing number are willing to open their arms and hearts and give a child the promise of a happier future.

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.