Record number of children in care as adoption rates drop
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Record numbers of children are in care while adoption rates continue to fall, official figures show.
Department for Education (DfE) statistics show 78,150 children were in care on 31 March this year - four per cent more than on the same date in 2018.
Some 65 of every 10,000 children are in care compared with 64 in 2018 and 62 in 2017.
In addition, the number of children being placed for adoption continues to fall.
Some 3,570 children were placed for adoption in the year up to 31 March – seven per cent less than the number of children adopted in the same period a year previously.
A record number of same-sex couples (490) adopted children, accounting for one in seven of all adoptions in the year up to 31 March.
This figure has increased from 450 during the same time period in 2017/18.
The DfE notes a “slight increase in the number of children placed in secure units, children’s homes and hostels” with 12 per cent of all children in care living in such facilities.
Some 72 per cent of children were in foster care - 13 per cent of which were with friends or relatives, the figures show.
Just three per cent of all children in care had been adopted. Seven per cent had been placed with parents and four per cent were living independently or in residential employment.
Campaigners called for urgent investment to support families of children at risk of entering the care system.
Dr Carol Homden, chief executive of children's charity Coram, said: “The figures published today by the DfE indicate that we have more children needing the protection of the state and living in foster care and residential settings alongside a drop in the number of those being adopted.
“Since 2015, the number of adoptions has fallen by a third, and this is concerning. There are more singles and same-sex couples adopting now, and timescales for children adopted are still good, however those not yet adopted are waiting longer.
“This dichotomy indicates a need to recruit more adopters and improve child-centred planning to ensure all children have the security and love they need.”
Sam Royston, director of families and children, at the Children’s Society said: “More investment is urgently needed to ensure families get early support which could help avoid the need for children to go into care – but also to ensure that when this is necessary young people get the support they need to stay safe and thrive.”
