Experts report a sustained increase in the number of infants involved in care proceedings in England, with many suggesting that better support could have prevented these situations. Approximately 72% of adopted children entered care before their first birthday, raising alarms about the potential for unnecessary separations from birth families.
Analysis indicates that only a small fraction of cases are deemed 'clear-cut' involving serious harm. The reduction in support services for families has been linked to the rise in care proceedings, prompting calls for improved intervention strategies to help keep families together.