Local government leaders have warned local authorities against trying to achieve Government adoption targets at the expense of children's interests.

The Local Government Association has welcomed the inclusion of new adoption legislation in the Government's first legislative programme.

But Rita Stringfellow, chair of the LGA's social affairs and health executive said: "It is critical that the pace of adoption is for the benefit of children and not the system.

"Local councils are steadily increasing the numbers of children adopted and are already committed to driving up the standards of services.

"It is vital to balance the need to minimise delay with the time required to allow safe assessments of families and preparation of children," she said.

Councillor Stringfellow also stressed the need for adequate funding for improved services including adequate post adoption support: "Councils urgently need the resources to provide better services and to encourage and sustain adopters.

"Adoptive families should have a right to assessment for post adoption support, but again it is vital that the appropriate funding is made available to enable councils to provide these services effectively.

"I am pleased that health authorities will have a duty to assist in both pre and post adoption support. The provision of such support alongside adoption allowances should help sustain adoptive families.

"Adoption breakdowns are potentially devastating for children and families.

"While new grants have been given through Quality Protects, this is against a historic background of underfunding of social services. There are also competing demands for the grant from other new legislation and improved standards."

She also welcomed the introduction of a National Adoption Register: "This will be a useful tool available to the regional adoption consortia run by local authorities.

"But it should not take over from them too early as the consortia have the advantage of placing children with local families.

"Most children benefit from stability, continuity of school and continuing contact with their birth families, including grandparents. For some children there are good reasons to be placed away from their home area and for contact with their birth families to be cut.

"The Register will help children with complex needs which cannot be met locally in a timescale which suits them."