Norman Goodwin, chief executive of Christian adoption agency, Adoption Matters, told Premier Childrenswork that it is a good idea in practice, but that the current system works. He said that critics claim the paperwork takes too long; however, he argues that it works well as long as the children are protected: ‘We have to be very careful in terms of how children’s lives are safeguarded, so appropriate checks have to take place and the appropriate measures will have to be put in place from that aspect.’
The Prime Minister wants to double the number of children, around ten per cent at present, being placed with adoptive families before legal proceedings have been completed. He said: ‘It is a tragedy that there are still too many children waiting to be placed with a loving family - we have made real progress but it remains a problem. As Prime Minister I want to make sure that we do everything we can so children are placed in a loving home as soon as possible, giving them the best chance for a happy and fulfilled life.’
