DfE Children in Care Statistics

Commenting in the Guardian about fall in the number of adoption orders granted by the courts, Alison O’Sullivan, President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said:

“This is not a numbers game, it is about finding stable, loving and permanent homes for children who cannot live with their birth parents and is one of the most important things that we do. So whilst these figures show a recent reduction in applications to the courts this should not deflect from the substantial increase we have seen in adoption over the last few years or that in the same period we have seen an increase in the use of special guardianship orders. In each case all options are carefully considered by the local authority alongside the needs and wishes of the children and then presented to the courts. Central to all adoption proceedings is ensuring the right outcomes for each individual child to provide them with the stability they need and truly deserve.”

ENDS

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) Ltd is the professional leadership association for Directors of Children’s Services and their senior management teams in England.

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