MORE children in care in Wiltshire are finding 'forever families' faster, according to a new report.

Wiltshire Council’s Adoption Scorecard, which rates the children's services department on how it handles all aspects of the adoption process, shows continued improvement in all key areas in the three year period from 2013-16. Figures for 2017 also show children are being placed with adoptive families much quicker than the national average.

From 2013-16 the Scorecard shows:

BLOB The time between receiving court authority to place a child and finding a match is 158 days in Wiltshire compared to the England average of 226 days

BLOB In 2016/17, 33 children were adopted. All but three were placed within 12 months of the decision that adoption was in their best interest.

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children, Cllr Laura Mayes said: “One of this council’s most important roles is to protect those who are most vulnerable and I’m pleased these figures show we are making a positive difference in these young people’s lives.

“We will only place children with families when we are sure it is right for the child. These figures show we are on the right track but we will always look at ways to improve so our children continue to have the right support as we match them with the right family for them.”

The adoption agency report comes as a move to create a more regional approach to adoption is being implemented, in line with government requirements for local authorities to work more collaboratively together.