Adoption: The Continuing Debate (Choice in Welfare 53)

Adoptions are now running at less than a quarter of the total 1975. When Patricia Morgan's book 'Adoption and the Care of Children' was published it ignited a fierce debate on the desirability of adoption and the reasons for its decline. The response from politicians (including government ministers), from childcare professionals and from the media was so great that it was decided to invite contributions to a sequel. This volume is the result. It begins with a summary of the original book, which is followed by commentaries from professionals writing from differing perspectives. Patricia Morgan's recommendations, that adoption should be given priority as a response to the needs of children who cannot live with their birth parents, and that it may be necessary to take it away from local authorities, are given careful consideration by the authors of this collection.