Across the south west of England, there are a large number of children who need permanent homes with adoptive families. Most have had a difficult start in life and many have learning, physical, emotional or behavioural problems. Like all children, they need a stable, loving home to enable them to flourish.

The South West Adoption Consortium was set up in July 2000 to establish a local but centrally-coordinated service to match children with adopters with as little delay as possible. The Consortium consists of 1 Regional Agency, 10 Local Authorities and 5 Voluntary Adoption Agencies throughout the south west of England.