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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/23/new-law-will-force-councils-to-merge-services-to-improve-adoption-rates
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| New law will force councils to merge services to improve adoption rates | New law will force councils to merge services to improve adoption rates |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plans to force councils to merge services in order to speed up adoption rates are to be announced in next week’s Queen’s speech. | Plans to force councils to merge services in order to speed up adoption rates are to be announced in next week’s Queen’s speech. |
| Adoption is “happening at too small and localised a scale”, the Department for Education said, and mergers would increase the pool of potential adopters, reducing waiting times. | |
| Official figures suggest more than 3,000 children are waiting to be matched with new parents, with more than half having spent 18 months in care. | Official figures suggest more than 3,000 children are waiting to be matched with new parents, with more than half having spent 18 months in care. |
| The proposed schools and adoption bill will contain new powers to require local authorities to merge if they do not do so themselves within two years. | The proposed schools and adoption bill will contain new powers to require local authorities to merge if they do not do so themselves within two years. |
| Children and families minister, Edward Timpson, who grew up with two adopted brothers, said: “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. This just isn’t good enough. | |
| “By coming together and joining forces, councils can make sure more children are matched with families far quicker - regardless of where they live.” | “By coming together and joining forces, councils can make sure more children are matched with families far quicker - regardless of where they live.” |
| The government said it would encourage town halls to set up their own mergers or outsource services to a single regional agency, while they will also be offered financial support to establish regional services. | The government said it would encourage town halls to set up their own mergers or outsource services to a single regional agency, while they will also be offered financial support to establish regional services. |
| Last year, according to the DfE more than 5,000 children were found a permanent home, representing a record increase of 26% over 12 months. | Last year, according to the DfE more than 5,000 children were found a permanent home, representing a record increase of 26% over 12 months. |