SOCIAL workers in the south are hoping new legislation will make it easier for people to adopt, after it was revealed almost 100 children in Hampshire are waiting to find permanent homes.

As reported yesterday, scores of children in our region are facing Christmas without a family of their own, sparking a Daily Echo-backed campaign to find people willing to adopt.

New figures released by the Department for Education also show there are 590 children waiting to be adopted in the South East.

However, adoption agencies and social services bosses have pointed to a raft of new laws that they hope will speed up the adoption process.

Already the Government has changed the law to allow people to adopt from a different ethnic background and has moved to cut local authority red tape.

Next April will see more legislation which will requires employers to give adopters time off work to allow their child to settle in as part of the new Children and Families Act giving adopters new working rights.

Adopters will gain the same leave and pay entitlements as parents having birth children and also become entitled to more flexible working arrangements.

Children and families minister Edward Timpson, who grew up with two adopted brothers, said: “We have introduced a quicker approvals process to remove delay and frustration for both children waiting and potential adopters.

“We have also introduced a new adoption support fund to help children who have lived through terrible experiences settle with their new family, and extended the pupil premium to all adopted children so they get the support they need to thrive at school.”

Children’s services boss in Hampshire Councillor Keith Mans said: “Any support for adoptive parents that allows them to better balance their work and family life, is welcome news.

“It is in the best interests of children and their families that they are able to spend adequate quality time at home together, particularly during the early stages of adoption where it is so important to build strong family bonds.”

Gemma Gordon-Johnson, head of service at the charity First4Adoption, said the changes have been important improvements in the adoption system.

But she said:“There is still more to be done. We need more people to come forward and start their adoption story if the needs of all children, for who adoption is the best option, are going to be met.”