It means unmarried couples in England and Wales, including gay andlesbian couples, are now able to adopt jointly. The act also introducesspecial guardianship orders, which gives foster carers, relatives andothers caring for a child the opportunity to apply for an order, meaningthe child is no longer the responsibility of the local authority.
Felicity Collier, chief executive of the British Association of Adoption& Fostering, said opening up adoption to unmarried couples would helpreduce the time spent by children in temporary care.
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