Numbers of Adoptions rise
Provisional figures released by the Department of Health found that during 1999/2000, 2,700 looked after children were adopted. That is an impressive 22% increase over the numbers for 1998/99.
The number of children being looked after increased by over 5% compared with last year although the number entering the care system for the first time has reduced the length of time children are looked after has risen.
The increase in the number of adoptions of looked after children reflect the governments continuing drive to make adoption an option for more children being looked after.