The Family Rights Group has responded to the news that a new select committee investigation into the adoption process in England and Wales has been launched.

Cathy Ashley, Family Rights Group Chief Executive, said: “We welcome politicians’ interest in how to improve the lives of children who are unable to live with their parents. However, it is extremely disappointing that the House of Lords select committee has chosen to focus exclusively on adoption, which will not be an option for the vast majority of children in the care system.

“There are over 65,000 children in the care system in England (on 31 March 2011) and over 200,000 children being brought up by friends and family members. In March 2011 only 3,050 children were adopted.“It is a real missed opportunity not to examine how to give every child long-term stability and the support they need, be that through adoption, fostering or family and friends care, or returning home with the right help.”