The National Assembly for Wales has begun a new inquiry examining how adoption services are delivered in Wales.
The inquiry will cover issues such as the assessment process for prospective parents, identify any barriers to adoption which should be removed and look at the support given to adoptive families.
The Children and Young People Committee will be asking for views and opinions from relevant organisations and individuals in Wales including those with personal experience of the adoption process.
Christine Chapman AM, Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “The process of adoption can involve some of our most vulnerable children and the Committee has chosen to undertake this inquiry because it believes there are unnecessary delays which can cause undue stress for both children and prospective families.
“It is important for us to gather the views of people who have had direct contact with the adoption process as it is their welfare which will be at the heart of our conclusions and recommendations so I would urge anyone with experience of this kind to get involved and tell us what they think.
“The Welsh Government is currently implementing changes to adoption services and has set out plans to form a single national adoption agency in its programme for the next five years.
“As a Committee, we are keen to undertake this important inquiry now in the hope that our findings will help shape adoption policy in the future and help to remove some of the unnecessary stress for all those involved in the adoption process.”
Anyone wishing to contribute evidence to the inquiry should email CYPCommittee@wales.gov.uk or write to: Clerk to the Children and Young People Committee, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA.