Statistics released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families last week show that in 2005, 3,800 children were adopted. By 2008, that figure had steadily fallen to 3,200.
Care Matters said that an increase in the use of adoption would be one of the indicators of better outcomes for children in care.
John Simmonds, director of policy, research and development at the British Association for Adoption & Fostering, said the drop was a real worry.
"It's a serious issue," he said. "Everyone, including the government, expected adoption figures to continue to rise. The fact that they've fallen is a matter of great concern because of the impact it has on children who wanted to be adopted."
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