It is hard to place older children, according to a spokeswoman at adoption charity BAAF Adoption and Fostering. She adds: "Young people in care for long periods of time move around a lot, which deprives them of security and stability." Social services are less likely to make an adoption order for an older child without special circumstances, such as the need to keep siblings together. The average age at adoption is four.
The length of time between what is called the "best interest" decision and adoption averages 580 days. This should be reduced next year when the 2002 Adoption and Children Act comes into full effect. The act will also benefit older children in care who do not wish to be adopted but who are unable to return home. It creates a legal category of "special guardianship", which will provide a legally secure placement for older children who don't want to sever the legal relationship with their birth parents.
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