Care proceedings involving babies under one year old in England have reached persistently high levels, according to new research that has raised concerns about potentially unnecessary adoptions and family separations.
Data from Lancaster and Oxford universities shows that care proceedings for infants have climbed by 64% over the past two decades, with one in 118 babies now affected. The figures, covering up to 2024-25, peaked during the Covid pandemic before dropping slightly and then levelling off, according to BBC News – UK.
Experts have told the BBC’s File on 4 Investigates programme that whilst some cases involve genuine safety concerns, many babies might not have needed to enter care if proper support had been available to struggling families.
Adoptions without parental consent
Latest government statistics reveal that 72% of adopted children in England went into care before turning one. More than 90% of these adoptions proceeded without parents’ written consent, according to CoramBAAF, which represents professionals working in adoption and care.
Courts overruled parents’ wishes in just under half of those cases. The remainder were classified as “unopposed”, with many parents advised not to contest because they would be unlikely to succeed.
Professor Karen Broadhurst from Lancaster University explains that analysis of care proceedings suggests between a fifth and a quarter were “clear-cut” cases where a child had suffered serious harm or abuse. However, the majority were “grey area” cases involving neglect by families with complex needs, including drug and alcohol abuse and housing difficulties, which might have improved with appropriate support.
The term “forced adoption” has been used by some campaigners and experts, though Broadhurst acknowledges it is “politically loaded” and the modern system differs from coercive practices that occurred between 1949 and 1976, for which the government recently apologised.
Cuts to early intervention
A major factor behind the rise appears to be reduced funding for preventative services. Spending on early intervention has been cut by 44% over a decade, according to a report commissioned by the Children’s Services Funding Alliance. Meanwhile, costs of looking after children in care have risen by 50% in the same period.
One social worker, referred to as Tracy to protect her identity, told the BBC that with better support at the beginning of care proceedings, “maybe the child wouldn’t have needed to be removed… maybe the child wouldn’t have needed to be adopted.”
More than half of urgent care hearings in England in 2024-25 were for newborns, where mothers had to attend court within days of giving birth or even on the same day. The BBC understands that new guidance for Family Court judges will be announced before the end of the year to significantly reduce these short-notice hearings.
The British Association of Social Workers stated their members are doing their best against a backdrop of increasing caseloads and reduced resources.
A Department for Education spokesperson said the government is investing £2.4bn to transform children’s social care, including giving children and their families earlier and better support to help them stay together wherever possible.
Research from the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory consistently shows that providing early, intensive support to birth mothers is critical to safely reducing the number of children entering the care system. One project in Salford, Strengthening Families, has kept about three-quarters of referred families together by offering specialised, intensive support during a child’s early years.
What this means for Poles in the UK
Polish families living in England who face difficulties such as housing problems, disability or complex needs should be aware that they have the right to request support from their local authority before any care proceedings begin. If social services become involved with your family, you are entitled to an interpreter and independent legal advice.
Parents facing care proceedings should understand that adoption is meant to be a last resort and that you have the right to challenge decisions in Family Court. Seek legal representation immediately if social services suggest your child may be taken into care. Organisations such as the Family Rights Group provide advice and support in multiple languages.
If you are struggling with housing, substance abuse issues or other challenges that might affect your ability to care for your children, contact your local authority early intervention services rather than waiting for a crisis. While funding has been reduced, some support remains available, and early engagement may help prevent care proceedings from starting.
The new guidance for judges on short-notice hearings should provide more time for mothers to prepare and seek proper legal advice, though the system remains under significant pressure due to funding cuts.
