Number of adoptions continues to fall, DfE figures reveal

There were 3,050 looked-after children adopted during the year ending March 2011, compared to 3,200 the previous year.

This is the second year in a row the adoption rate has declined and represents an eight per cent decrease in the number of children adopted since 2007.

The number of children who were placed for adoption has also fallen from 2,720 in 2007 to 2,450 in 2011.

The drop in the adoption rate in England comes amid a continued increase in the looked-after children population since 2007. In the year ending March 2011, there were 65,520 looked-after children, an increase of two per cent on the previous year and a nine per cent increase on 2007’s figures.

Increasingly, abuse and neglect are the main reasons for children being taken into care. This was the main factor in 54 per cent of cases between 2010 and 2011, compared to 48 per cent between 2007 and 2008.

These latest adoption figures for England contrast with statistics for Wales published earlier this month. This showed a nine per cent increase in the number of adoptions between 2010 and 2011.

Children's minister Tim Loughton said the figures are "a timely reminder" that more must be done for children in care.
 
"It’s worrying that the number of adoptions has continued to decline," he said. "We’re determined to change this. New guidance, issued 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."