Another drop in adoptions

Press, 16 September 1976, Page 14

Another drop in adoptions

PA Wellington. In all, 2741 children were placed for adoption through the Department of Social Welfare during 1975, according to the department’s annual report for the year ended March 31.

The 1975 total shows a continuation of the recent downward trend, being 225 less than for 1974. The number has declined each year since the 3280 adoptions recorded in 1972. At the same time as adoption figures have been falling, there has been a gradual decline in the proportion of children adopted by strangers, according to the report. In 1968 these made up 75 per cent of the total, but in 1975 they had fallen to 58 per cent. Likewise, there had been a steady increase in the number of children adopted by a natural parent and the parent’s spouse, and by relatives or friends. In 1975 there were 6319

State wards and 519 children in State care under voluntary agreements, said the report. Most of these wards were cared for in the community — in 1975, 54 per cent were living in foster homes, departmental family homes, or in the homes of relatives and friends.

Fifteen per cent were with their own parents — on trial, with a view to possible discharge — and the remaining 31 per cent were at work or in institutions.

A proportion of the wards, especially those in older age groups, came into care because of antisocial, even criminal behaviour. With help and guidance some of these settled in the community, but some had to be admitted to the department’s various training institutions, usually after assessment and trial in boys’ and girls’ homes.

A few were in institutions under the control of the Justice Department.