People in Cheshire East waiting to adopt children will soon be able to search the national adoption register to see videos and images of those available for adoption.
Cheshire East has become one of the first councils to run the pilot scheme which will allow approved adopters to learn more about the children who are waiting for a loving, stable home.
From this September, they will be able to find out about their hobbies, likes and dislikes, and hear them speak and laugh in videos and pictures to help match children waiting with their new family.
Opening up the Register is designed to ensure that children are placed more quickly with families who can give them the stability and security they deserve.
Strict safeguards will be put in place to ensure the safety and privacy of children and approved adopters. The Adoption Register is currently only used by social workers to find homes for children waiting to be adopted.
Minister for Children and Families, Edward Timpson, who has two adopted brothers, said: “Allowing parents in Cheshire East who are approved to adopt to see videos and pictures, to hear the children speak and laugh will give them a greater role in the process and ensure more children are placed with their new family much more quickly.”
The Government has also announced a package of new measures to remove the barriers to adoption. The measure include ethnicity is not prioritised by councils and adoption agencies over other factors – such as the ability to provide a loving, stable home.