A MODEL for a National Adoption Service has been announced by the Welsh Government.
Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said she had received a functional model for the service proposed by the Association of Directors of Social Services in conjunction with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).
"It is a model that I believe will achieve the step-change and radical reform we have all sought," she added.
The service will have a director of operations who will be accountable professionally to the National Board for Adoption Services and present twice yearly information reports to Mrs Thomas and an annual report to the national board.
Five "collaboratives" will be created on a regional basis. Swansea and Neath will join with Bridgend for the Western Bay area and Carmarthenshire will work with Ceredigion, Powys and Pembrokeshire.