Children in Gateshead now spend an extra 43 days on average in council care before being adopted.
According to a report published by the local authority, it took an average of 358 days for a child to be adopted from council care in 2021. This increased in 2022 to 401 days.
The delays have been attributed to legal issues regarding Somerset County Council which created national implications for adoption procedures.
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The council report stated: "Due to a court case in November 2021 in Somerset County Council where a judge raised concerned about the local authority’s adoption practice and deemed children adoption placement orders unlawful, adoption processes which reflected similar practices to Somerset stalled across the country."
The local authority's report states Gateshead Council has changed its adoption practices and is compliant with the adoption regulations.
Councillor Gary Haley, cabinet member for children and young people at Gateshead Council, said: “At Gateshead, we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that children and young people across the borough lead ambitious, thriving lives.
“Supporting families to consider adoption continues to be a key priority for the Council, as we know what a huge difference it can make to the lives of our young people. This has included supporting Early Permanence placements, which allow babies and young children who may need adoption to be placed with a potential permanent family earlier than a conventional adoption.
“We are continuing to work with key partners and agencies to reduce the delay, in part caused by the pandemic and national guidance, to make sure families get the support they need and to make adoption more viable for our communities.”
Adoption remains a last resort for local authorities. It is generally only considered after a "robust" examination which rules out care options including the child's family network.
A council document further stated: "It is clearly in the child’s best interests to minimise the time spent in foster care and decisions for permanent care are taken as soon as possible."
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