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For most children the best place to grow up is with their birth parents. Where this is not possible adoption is traditionally a means of providing a permanent alternative home for such children, but there are major problems with children's services and adoptions at present.

Part one of this White Paper looks at the current problems in the adoption system and the action that the Government is already taking. Part two outlines the new approach, setting out key changes that will be made to address the problems identified including further investment in adoption services, National Standards for Adoption, training more social workers, changing the law and setting public service agreement targets.

The paper also outlines the changes the Government will make to achieve a permanent secure family life for children, provide services and support for adopters, improve council performance on adoption, and improve the court system. The final chapters set out how the Government will deliver the changes.

• Download Adoption a new approach - a White Paper (PDF, 178K)