Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, has commented on the Government's recently announced adoption action plan.
He said: “The Fostering Network welcomes moves by the Government to streamline the adoption process for those children who can benefit from adoption.
"However, we remain concerned that many children in care who cannot go home or live with a family member want to be able to grow up in a new family but do not want to be or need to be adopted. It has to be recognised that for the vast majority of children in care, adoption will not be in their interests.
“The Government’s overwhelming focus on adoption, with the possibility of over simplified indicators judging each local authorities performance will not help social workers make the right decision for each child.
"What is most important is finding the right family for a child to grow up in, be they foster carers, adopters, special guardians or another family member, rather than worrying first about legal status. We are therefore calling on the Government to ensure that all children in care continue to have their needs met instead prioritising adoption above other options.”