Just 60 babies a year adopted in England

Just 60 babies a year adopted in England - Thousands of children are being held in limbo in care homes, secure units & temporary fostering. - The number of adoptions of babies under the age of one has fallen from 150 in 2007 – and around 4,000 in 1976. Prospects for adopted babies are considered strong, as they have fewer difficulties bonding with new parents. The slowing of the adoption system is causing many vulnerable children to spend much longer in government or foster care. There are currently 65,520 under-16s in care – the highest number since 1987, and 10 per cent up on 2008 – with 3,660 of them less than a year old. Children are waiting two years and seven months before being adopted, on average, with the process taking longer than three years in a quarter of cases, according to the Department of Education statistics. The average age at adoption now stands at three years and 10 months. The total number of adoptions has fallen significantly since 2007, down 8.4 per cent to 3,050.