Placement patterns
Where the children ended up living
The number of children being adopted increased substantially between 2000 and 2007. By 31st March 2007, nearly half of all the children (42%; n=158) had been adopted. In contrast, the number of children in non-relative foster care decreased, from 61% in 2000 to 20% in 2007. The number of children living with their birth parents increased from 14% in 2000 to 27% in 2004, but decreased to 20% in 2007.
Placement patterns represent 5 care pathways for these children: adoption, living with birth parents, non-relative foster care, relative foster care, and Residence Order. These are the figures at 31st March 2007. Almost half the children had been adopted or were in a prospective adoption placement (45%).
