This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32840224
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| More babies with guardians as adoptions fall | More babies with guardians as adoptions fall |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of babies being made subject to special guardianship orders in England has tripled in two years, according to data obtained by the BBC. | The number of babies being made subject to special guardianship orders in England has tripled in two years, according to data obtained by the BBC. |
| The measure sees a child placed with extended family, friends or foster parents until they reach 18 instead of being adopted or fostered. | The measure sees a child placed with extended family, friends or foster parents until they reach 18 instead of being adopted or fostered. |
| The number of babies involved rose from 160 in 2012 to 520 in 2014, while most of the children are aged four or under. | The number of babies involved rose from 160 in 2012 to 520 in 2014, while most of the children are aged four or under. |
| The Department for Education says it is reviewing the situation. | The Department for Education says it is reviewing the situation. |
| But it has acknowledged local authorities are placing more young children with special guardians. | But it has acknowledged local authorities are placing more young children with special guardians. |
| The number of children placed for adoption has been falling. Special guardianship is a long-term placement and can be an alternative to adoption or care for children whose parents neglect or abuse them. | |
| 'Party of support' | |
| Groups concerned with families have welcomed the fact that more children can live safely with relatives or friends, the BBC's Sanchia Berg reports. | Groups concerned with families have welcomed the fact that more children can live safely with relatives or friends, the BBC's Sanchia Berg reports. |
| But she said some charities have expressed fears special guardianship is being used where the more complex and costly adoption route would provide greater stability and a permanent home. | |
| Andy Elvin, chief executive of fostering and adoption charity TACT, said children living with extended family "is a good thing". | |
| But he said there were concerns over whether assessments were detailed enough. | |
| Cathy Ashley, chief executive of justice charity Family Rights Group, said there is evidence being placed with extended family is beneficial. | |
| But she said it "isn't right that there isn't parity of support". | |
| 'Clear and confident' | |
| The last official set of figures for adoptions in England were released in November 2014. They show that in the three months to June 2014, there were 960 initial decisions to place a child for adoption, compared with 1,830 in the three months to September 2013. | The last official set of figures for adoptions in England were released in November 2014. They show that in the three months to June 2014, there were 960 initial decisions to place a child for adoption, compared with 1,830 in the three months to September 2013. |
| There has been a delay in publishing more up-to-date statistics because of the election, but figures cited by the Independent newspaper this month suggest the trend has continued. | |
| The British Association for Adoption and Fostering told the BBC that recent court rulings had underlined local councils' need to consider all options, such as placing with birth relatives before seeking adoption. | |
| A Department for Education spokeswoman said the fall in adoptions could have been a result of the way local authorities had interpreted the judgements. | |
| She said the Adoption Leadership Board advisory body had produced a guide to help councils make "clear and confident adoption decisions". |