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The number of children who benefit from adoption could be severely restricted unless the Adoption and Children Bill is amended, a coalition of leading adoption and children’s agencies have warned MPs, writes Jonathan Pearce.

Sent by 19 agencies – led by BAAF Adoption & Fostering and including the National Children’s Bureau, Barnardo’s, NCH, Adoption UK and the Association of Directors of Social Services – the letter is timed to coincide with the bill’s report stage in the House of Commons due next week.

The coalition has urged MPs to back a cross-party amendment to the bill allowing unmarried couples to adopt jointly. Under current legislation, which the bill reaffirms, adoption is only permitted by single people and by married couples making a joint adoption.

The coalition believes the life chances of more children would be improved by widening the pool of potential adoptive parents, and by allowing those children placed with unmarried couples to enjoy the security of a permanent legal relationship with both parents.

The coalition’s letter has been prompted by fears that the government is considering a whipped vote to support the bill as it stands, after recent media reports revealed a Cabinet split over family policy, meaning no minister will speak publicly on marriage issues.