Matching looked after children with adoptive parents is central to the adoption task. Current policy and practice agree that linking children's needs and adoptive parents' capacities to meet them is the best way to ensure the stability and success of adoptive placements. But how much do we really know about matching and the best way to go about it? This review summarises the beliefs and principles on which matching is currently based, the evidence on its effectiveness and the research that can guide the development of the matching process.
