Speaking during the committee stage of the Children and Social Work Bill, Lewell-Buck said the government's focus on adoption was "to the detriment of all other forms of care", adding that the time and money the government has spent on adoption is "staggering", pointing to more than 20 policy changes since 2010.
"What the government should be doing is advocating the form of care that is right for every child, not what they believe is right," she said.
Her remarks were made during her failed attempt to convince committee members to abandon a clause in the bill that would require courts and councils to take into account a child's relationship with prospective adopters.
Lewell-Buck says the clause is "a prime example" of the government's "obsession" with adoption, as it would allow the views of prospective adopters to be prioritised over "relatives and other carers".
She added that the clause could also lead to children being prematurely placed with prospective adopters, even before the conclusion of court proceedings.
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