New regulations are being introduced which mean children in the care system can retain links with their birth family.
In some cases where children are unable to live with their parents they will be looked after by long-term foster carers or adopted.
However the Department of Health and Social Care says it is introducing the new Special Guardianship Regulations for the times when neither option is appropriate.
It means that children will be given greater security as there will not be the absolute legal severance from their birth family which stems from adoption.
The regulations will come into operation from May 1st.
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