In this section
Attachment in adoption
A total of 3,300 children were adopted from care in England in the year to 31 March 2009. The mean age of adoption placement was 3 years 9 months. Children adopted from care, compared to others leaving care, have additional risk factors and are more likely to have entered care because of abuse, neglect or risk, more likely to have entered care on Emergency Protection Order, and more likely to have experienced multiple placements whilst in care. Children in care have a high rate of mental health problems as defined by ICD-10. Looked after children had rates of just under 50 per cent of children with a mental health problem compared to under 10 per cent in private households in non-deprived areas. Many children who are put up for adoption have complex behavioural and emotional difficulties and do not even fit the ICD-10 categories.
