Adopted children will be entitled to a free nursery place at two

The move is part of a series of measures set out by the Government to give adoptive parents and those considering adoption more ongoing support. It builds on the Prime Minister’s previously announced plans to overhaul the system to make it easier for prospective adopters and speed up the adoption process.

A new helpline is also due to be launched in the next few weeks with phone lines manned by adopters to give prospective adopters access to first-hand experience.

Later in the year, a new one-stop-shop online service called a National Gateway for Adoption will provide information on the first stages of the adoption process.

The number of children available for adoption has risen from 3,000 a year in 2010 to more than 4,000 in 2012, but minsters say that hundreds more prospective adopters are needed.

The Government is also keen to encourage Adoption Activity Days to give prospective parents a greater role in finding the right match and the chance to meet more children waiting for adoption. The scheme has been pioneered by the British Association of Fostering and Adoption and pilot activity days have been very successful in finding families for nearly one in five children, particularly those children considered difficult to place.

Parents who are adopting will also be granted more paid leave, giving them the same maternity and paternity leave rights as biological parents, so that parents and children have more time to bond early on.

Adoptive parents will also be given the right to take time off work to meet the children they are to adopt to help ease the transition to moving in with a new family.

A trial giving adoptive parents control of personal budgets will also take place giving more choice over the type and provider of adoption support, which would otherwise be allocated by local authorities.

Edward Timpson, children and families minister, said, ‘We are doing all we can to make sure children in care with a plan for adoption are able to have a loving and stable adoptive family as soon as possible. We know that children do well in an adoptive family and I hope this comprehensive package of support will lead to more and more people having the confidence to come forward and provide a chance for these children to thrive and reach their potential.

‘This support will also provide more help to those who are already adopting children who have been in care.’

Martin Narey, the Government’s adoption adviser, said, ‘Immense and well intentioned social work effort goes into matching children to adopters. But there is US and now UK evidence that effective matches can be achieved by allowing adopters to take the initiative.

‘Of course, that does not mean that adopters can simply choose their child, they still need professional advice on such a vital decision. But it is clear - and indeed I have observed - that there is a chemistry between adopters and children which can provide a foundation for a very successful adoption.’

David Holmes, chief executive of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering, said, ‘The British Association for Adoption and Fostering warmly welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcements about enhanced adoption support. Adoption support is so important in ensuring that adoptions are given the very best chance of succeeding.  

‘We also welcome the support for our Adoption Activity Days pilots which have resulted in a number of children being linked with their new forever families.  Now, more than ever, we need more people to consider if adoption could be right for them – we must find families for the thousands of children who are waiting while ensuring that adoption support is available to meet the needs of all.’