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11/10/2011

Should it be easier to adopt a child in the UK? David Cameron says it's a scandal that only 60 babies out of thousands in care were adopted in England last year. Is he right?

Should it be easier to adopt a child in the UK? David Cameron says it's a scandal that only 60 babies out of thousands in care were adopted in England last year. In his speech to the Conservative party conference, the PM promised to tackle the problem. He wants the whole process to be speeded up so young children wait less than the average 2 years and 7 months before being adopted. And the government's issued new guidance to make it easier for parents to adopt a child from a different ethnic background. But would a faster process be in the best interests of the child? Would it be robust enough to safeguard vulnerable children? And who or what is causing the delay? Social workers, the birth parents or the courts? If you have experience of the adoption process - personally or professionally - we'd like to hear from you. 03700 100 400 is the phone number, or you can e-mail via bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours. Or you can text us on 84844 and we may call you back on that number. You'll be charged at your standard operator message rate.

Available now

57 minutes

Last on

Tue 11 Oct 2011 12:00

Chapters

  • Call You & Yours Adoption

    Only 60 babies were adopted in the last year. But can you speed up the adoption process without placing an already vulnerable child at risk?

    Duration: 52:29

Broadcasts

  • Tue 11 Oct 2011 12:00
  • Tue 11 Oct 2011 12:04

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