Rise in babies in care proceedings raises fears of unnecessary adoptions, experts say

The number of children involved in care proceedings before they reach their first birthdays is at a persistently high level across England, according to experts who have published new figures.

Data from the universities of Lancaster and Oxford indicates care proceedings for babies have risen by 64% over the past two decades, with one in 118 infants affected. The figures – up to 2024-25 – peaked during Covid, before dropping slightly and plateauing.

While there are cases where it is unsafe for parents to continue contact with their children, experts have told File on 4 Investigates that many babies may not have needed to go into care if support had been in place.

And, since very young children who go into care are more likely to be adopted than older children, there are also concerns from experts that some may have been permanently separated from their birth families unnecessarily.

The BBC understands that new guidance for Family Court judges, to significantly reduce the number of short-notice care hearings – within hours or days of a baby being born – will be announced before the end of the year.

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