STAFF dealing with children in care in Blackburn with Darwen have been chosen to work with a group of top Government experts to improve adoption services in the area.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is one of 12 councils selected to work with the Adoption and Permanence Taskforce, which aims to deliver better adoption practices.

The council had to bid for the chance.

The taskforce will support the council in planning and finding permanent homes for children in care and provide support for the children and families involved.

Sue Reid, executive member for social services with the council, said: "There is a national shortage of suitable people to adopt and as a result young children have to wait too long to find a new, permanent home. We are working with our partners in the north west to ensure the best deal for children awaiting adoption in the region, finding them the best possible placements with the most suitable families."

The council is currently looking for 11 placements in the Blackburn with Darwen area, after it placed a number of children in recent months.

Health Minister Jacqui Smith said the Government was committed to increasing the number of children adopted from care by 40 per cent because research showed a family environment was the ideal for most children.

Research also showed the lengthy process of adoption should be cut to make it less stressful for the families and the children involved.

"The taskforce's work is a key part of this change and along with other initiatives, such as the adoption register, adoption standards and recently introduced Adoption and Children Bill, it will help transform the lives of thousands of looked-after children."

The taskforce will be chaired by Denise Platt, who is chief inspector of the social services inspectorate.

She said: "The success of the taskforce's work so far is a testament to the commitment to improving children's lives both of the taskforce members and the staff in the councils with whom they have been working.

"I am pleased that so many councils wish to work with the taskforce in year two and am confident that improvements in their adoption service will be made."

It will be working with councils to improve their adoption service by building on the work they did with eight councils in its first year.