Adoption (Hansard, 6 May 2004)

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children aged(a) under two and (b) over two years were adopted in each of the last five years. [169041]

§ Margaret Hodge
The following table shows the number of looked after children adopted in England during the years ending 31 March 1999 to 2003.

Looked after children adopted during the years ending 31 March¹

Age at adoption 1999² 20002² 2001³ 2002³ 2003³

Under 2 600 680 800 900 1,000

2 and over 1,600 2,100 2,200 2,500 2,500

Total 2,200 2,700 3,100 3,400 3,500

¹ Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.

² Figures are based on the Key Statistics Return (KS1) and the SSDA903 sample return.

³ Figures are based on the AD1 return.

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adoption placements broke down in each of the last five years. [169042]

§ Margaret Hodge
The following table shows the estimated number of placements for adoption in England that ended without the making of an adoption order during the years ending 31 March 1999 to 2003.

Number of placements that ended without the making of an adoption order^{1, 2}

1999 320

2000 260

2001 270

2002 270

2003 250

¹ Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.

² Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Source:

The information provided is derived from the SSDA903 return, a one-third sample survey of all looked after children in England, and as such these are estimated figures.

Looked after children adopted during the years ending 31 March¹
Age at adoption	1999²	20002²	2001³	2002³	2003³
Under 2	600	680	800	900	1,000
2 and over	1,600	2,100	2,200	2,500	2,500
Total	2,200	2,700	3,100	3,400	3,500
¹ Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.
² Figures are based on the Key Statistics Return (KS1) and the SSDA903 sample return.
³ Figures are based on the AD1 return.

	Number of placements that ended without the making of an adoption order^{1, 2}
1999	320
2000	260
2001	270
2002	270
2003	250
¹ Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.
² Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
Source:
The information provided is derived from the SSDA903 return, a one-third sample survey of all looked after children in England, and as such these are estimated figures.