Last updated at 16:41, Wednesday, 26 September 2012

THE number of children being taken into care across Cumbria almost doubled in just 12 months – but the county boasts a higher adoption rate than across the country.

Between April last year and the end of March, 120 children were taken into care in Cumbria, compared to 70 the in the previous 12 months.

Figures are higher for the number of youngsters who were “looked after” by the local authority but did not progress into the care system and may have been placed back with their families.

It means there are now 600 youngsters being cared for by Cumbria County Council, an increase of 90 from 2010/11, according to the Department for Education.

In Barrow borough district 112 children are in care, while in Copeland and South Lakeland the figures were 106 and 51 respectively.

Figures also show the percentage of youngsters taken into care and then adopted in Cumbria was 20 per cent, in the 12 months leading up to March 31,
significantly higher than the 13 per cent nationally.

Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families, said: “The rise in the number of adoptions and adoption placement orders is extremely welcome, but it still takes too long for those who want to adopt and foster to be approved.

“The time it takes for a child in care to be adopted can be a significant period in that child’s life.”

Nationally there were 67,050 youngsters being looked after by English social services departments in the year to March, up two per cent. Across the country 3,450 looked-after children were adopted during the latest 12 month period, the highest figure since 2007 and up 12 per cent on 2010/11.

Mr Timpson, whose parents fostered abandoned youngsters, said a government shake-up of the system would cut the time children spent in care before they were adopted.

Ministers want children moved around England if suitable parents can be found.

He added: “I know from my own family that parents who adopt and foster bring stability to young lives – that is why we are overhauling adoption.

“But I know that our reforms will take time to make a full impact, so we are looking at measures to encourage councils to make use of adopters in other parts of the country.”

He said the government would simplify and shorten the approval process and fast-track existing foster carers.

First published at 16:40, Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk