Today the Government has announced a National Adoption Strategy to improve the experience for children and families in the adoption system.
In response Michelle Lee-Izu, Corporate Director, Barnardo’s said:
"As the UK's largest voluntary adoption agency, Barnardo's has been placing vulnerable children with adoptive parents for over 100 years, so we know just how vital it is for children to be matched with the right forever family.
“Unfortunately too many children placed for adoption are left waiting far too long, so we welcome the Government’s new National Adoption Strategy and it’s ambition to break down barriers and speed up the adoption process.
"We also welcome the additional funding which will mean more adoptive families can be recruited and supported in the year ahead. However, there is also a need for longer term, sustainable funding for therapeutic services that can support adopted children and their families early, before problems escalate, in order to improve outcomes for children and to prevent placement breakdowns. This is especially critical in the case of older children, many of whom have faced complex traumatic experiences and need the right help to recover.
“At Barnardo’s we know first hand that children and families have experienced a whole range of challenges in the last 16 months, and we have taken the opportunity to innovate, reaching more of those who need our help through digital channels.
“Going forward it is critical that Regional Adoption Agencies work closely with charities to use all available tools and channels to identify and support families, and to give adopted children the best possible chance of a positive future.”