Statistics released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show that in the three months between April and June this year, the average duration of care proceedings was 40.8 weeks.
The figure has been falling each quarter since the end of 2011 when it stood at 54.6 weeks, but is still well above the new 26-week limit that is due to come into effect from April 2014.
The new limit is intended to ensure children can be found a home within six months.
The hope is that cutting out delays will mean more children can be found a permanent home quickly, avoiding exposing them to potential risk or harm to their development.
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