The job of finding new families for Brentwood children who cannot live with their own families is in safe hands.

This is the conclusion of Essex County councillors from the Health and Social Services select committee.

As a result, the chairman, Cllr Pat Pascoe is to write to the executive board member, Cllr Elizabeth Dines, expressing confidence in the work of the adoption service.

Members heard they had found adoptive homes for 67 Essex children last year.

And in the first six months of this year 32 children were found new adoptive familes.

A report to the committee outlines improvements which have been made to cope with the growing number of children referred to the service.

These include earlier planning, specialist social workers to prepare children for adoption, closer monitoring of progress.

Another new feature is the appointment of a specialist media and promotions co-ordinator to recruit adopters.

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