Adoption of babies falls to record low

The latest national statistics on Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England reveals that the number of adoptions has continued to fall, with only 60 children under the age of one adopted in the year ending March 2011, compared to 70 children in 2010 and 150 in 2007.
In total 3,050 looked-after children were adopted during the year ending March 2011, this is five per cent fewer than in 2010.

The average length of time children waited to be adopted was two years and seven months.
According to the Department for Education figures, the number of children placed for adoption has also fallen to 2,450, a reduction of two per cent on 2010 and 10 per cent on 2007.

As a result, the number of looked-after children has now risen to 65,520, a two per cent increase on last year and the highest number since 1987. The majority of these children (74 per cent) are currently in foster placements.

Children’s minister Tim Loughton said, ‘The statistics are a timely reminder that we must redouble our efforts to do better for children in care.

‘It’s worrying that the number of adoptions  has continued to decline, and it’s simply not good enough for vulnerable children to be waiting well over two years to be adopted.

‘We’re determined to change this. New guidance, issues earlier this year, stripped away some of the myths blocking potentially suitable adoptions. A new adoption adviser, Martin Narey, is working to reduce delay in the system and help local authorities improve their practice.’

He added, ‘But this is only the start. The Family Justice Review, due later in the year, will be crucial in tackling the delays and bureaucracy hampering the family courts. Later in the year, we will also be responding to Martin Narey’s adoption report and addressing some of his concerns about the system.’

Iain Anderson, CEO of the National Fostering Agency, commented on the statistics, said, ‘We’ve seen record numbers of referrals over the past year and are working closely with our local authority customers to find the best possible solutions for looked after children.

Our commitment at NFA is to improve the lives of children and young people and find the best possible foster carers, who can provide a stable home for these vulnerable young people.’

Sarah Wellard, policy and research manager at Grandparents Plus, said, ‘The whole system of family placements for vulnerable children is under huge strain, and children are losing out.

‘Grandparents and other family and friends carers who step in to bring up children who would otherwise be in care also get a raw deal from children’s services, with two thirds of those in a recent survey saving they didn’t get the support they need. One in three carers have to give up work when they take on the care of a child and with welfare benefits being cut we fear fewer carers will step forward and more children will be taken into care.’