David Cameron has pledged to name and shame local authorities that are failing children up for adoption and fostering.
The Prime Minister said details such as local adoption rates would be published so that people can challenge underperforming councils.
Those that do not improve could be taken over by more effective authorities, or have their services contracted out privately.
Mr Cameron spoke out as potential adopters and foster parents were urged to come forward.
Launching the Give a Child a Home campaign at the start of national adoption week, the premier said: "It is shocking that of the 3,600 children under the age of one in care, only 60 were adopted last year - this is clearly not good enough.
"So we will publish data on how every local authority is performing to ensure they are working quickly enough to provide the safe and secure family environment every child deserves."
He continued: "We need more people to think about fostering and adoption so this National Adoption Week I would encourage anyone who is considering adoption to find out more about whether they could provide a home for a child.
"People who foster and adopt make a fantastic difference to a child's life and there are children waiting for families right now."
A final report by former mandarin David Norgrove into reforming the family justice system is due to be published later in the week.
Its recommendations are expected to include restricting the duration of court cases to six months - instead of the average 13 months now.