The Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children has outlined plans to cut red tape for couples wanting to adopt.
March will see the launch of a public consultation on the Welsh Government’s proposed Social Services Bill.
The Bill sets out the remit and functions of a national service that will work with existing adoption agencies to cut red tape.
The Welsh Government has said the new national model will see adoption agencies working better together.
Deputy Minister Gwenda Thomas said: “Without a programme of transformation, social services will not meet the needs of the people of Wales – they are simply not sustainable.
“This programme for change is only achieved through strong partnership and collaborative working with local authorities, independent and the voluntary sector. Local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies need to work together in harnessing the specialist nature of the adoption service.
“We believe that establishing a national body will help to transform the adoption service. The Social Services Bill I outlined at the end of last month will be central to this.”