In England, when a child is removed from his home, the judicial system has up to 65 weeks to determine whether that child can be returned home or should be placed for adoption. In some instances, kids have spent years in foster care, waiting for the courts to decide their fate.
The courts are clogging up with cases. Figures show that at the end of 2009 there were 12,994 open care cases in the courts. This is almost 50% more than at the end of 2008, when there were 8,677 cases open. [Source: The Guardian]
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said family justice practices are currently under review, in an attempt to determine how best to streamline the process and ensure that kids are placed in loving, permanent homes as quickly as possible.
Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton
