Waiting times for parents hoping to adopt a child in Tower Hamlets are among the lowest in London, according to figures published by the Department for Education.
The average wait for parents seeking to adopt was 521 days – the joint second lowest in London.
But Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman insisted speed should not always be the council’s top priority when placing children with families.
“I believe it is paramount to ensure children in need are found permanent, loving homes”, he said.
“Ideally this happens as quickly as possible but sometimes there are complicated family circumstances which take time to negotiate so if it is in the best interests of the child to wait until we find the best placement, then we will do so.”
Last month, Tower Hamlets Council launched its ‘Catch – Don’t Pass’ campaign in a bid to encourage more people to sign up as foster carers, with a particular emphasis on finding homes for children with disabilities.
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