Councils are desperate to save money where they can, so are using their own departments, even if it means that children have to wait longer to find a permanent new home.

There has also been a long-running battle between the agencies and the local authorities because the nationally agreed £25,000 fee that they charge to find the right family for an adoptive child falls short of the true cost, which is normally about £35,000. It can often take more than a year to find and train families to care for what are often challenging children.

The agencies make up the shortfall by fundraising, but this has been hit by the recession.

via Times Online

The potential adopters, some of whom had already started attending adoption preparation groups, told the agency that fears about job prospects and finances had compelled them to delay their plans.

Others felt unable to continue with the adoption process after being made redundant.

Norman Goodwin, chief executive of Adoption Matters Northwest, said the problem had been reported across Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Wales and Greater Manchester, where there are currently 600 children hoping to be adopted

via Children & Young People Now