This is an increase of 26 per cent on the previous year when 4,010 children were adopted, according to Department for Education (DfE) figures.
Overall, adoptions have increased by 63 per cent in the last three years, from 3,100 in 2011 to 5,050 in 2014.
The DfE attributes the rise in adoptions to Government action to speed up the adoption process over the 12 months, including:
- removing barriers by ensuring ethnicity is not prioritised over other factors;
- placing mandatory requirements on all councils to tell prospective adopters about their entitlements;
- extending the pupil premium funding and priority school admissions so all children adopted from care are eligible for extra funding at school;
- empowering adoptive parents to choose the school that will best meet their child’s needs.
Nicky Morgan, secretary of state for education, said, ‘These figures show a significant and sustained rise in the number of adoptions. This means thousands more of our most vulnerable children are finding the loving and permanent homes they so desperately need.
‘We also promised to remove delay and frustration from the process for both children and adopters. The figures show that we are delivering on that promise. The system is working more quickly, as well as providing more support to families after an adoption has taken place.
‘Children are also spending less time in care waiting to be adopted, with the average length of time between a child coming into care and being placed with their new family down by two months.’
Children and families minister, Edward Timpson, who has two adopted brothers, said, ‘It’s great to see that the number of children adopted from care has risen to the highest level yet. However we refuse to be complacent and we know there is more to be done.
‘I’m all too aware that welcoming a vulnerable child into your home is a rewarding but challenging experience. That’s why we’re putting in more support than ever to ensure that families get a fighting chance, including better support services focused on the needs of the family.’