Adoption numbers

Summary

The request sought statistics on Isle of Man adoptions and foster care placements over the last five years. The Department of Health and Social Care provided specific adoption figures and current foster care numbers but could not supply data on non-resident children adopted by islanders registered with external agencies.

Key Facts

• Total of 9 Isle of Man children were adopted between 2015 and 2018, with 1 adoption in 2019.
• There are currently 10 children under the age of five in foster care on the Isle of Man.
• Four non-resident children were placed with Isle of Man adopters assessed locally by UK agencies in the past five years.
• The authority does not hold data on non-resident children adopted by Isle of Man residents registered with external adoption agencies.
• Some adoptions occurred outside the Isle of Man, specifically in the UK.

Data Disclosed

• 2019: 1 adoption
• 2018: 3 adoptions
• 2017: 3 adoptions
• 2016: 2 adoptions
• 2015: 0 adoptions
• 10 children under 5 in foster care
• 4 non-resident children placed
• 2 children in pre-adoptive placements
• 2019-03-27
• 2019-04-15
• 778665

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the public authority

Original Request

Question 1: Can you tell me how many Isle of Man children have been adopted in the last 5 years, the number by year and if they have been adopted locally or outside of the Isle of Man? Question 2: I would also like to know the number of children under 5 in the Isle of Man in Foster care currently? Question 3: I would also like to know the number of non-resident children adopted by an Isle of Man adopter over the past 5 years and if this includes adopters registered with an external adoption agency but residing on the Island?

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch Freedom of Information Team DHSC , Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas IM1 3QA

(01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 778665 15th April 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 27th March 2019 and states:

Your request: "Question 1: Can you tell me how many Isle of Man children have been adopted in the last 5 years, the number by year and if they have been adopted locally or outside of the Isle of Man? Question 2: I would also like to know the number of children under 5 in the Isle of Man in Foster care currently? Question 3: I would also like to know the number of non-resident children adopted by an Isle of Man adopter over the past 5 years and if this includes adopters registered with an external adoption agency but residing on the Island?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. The reason is shown as part of the corresponding answer below.

Question 1: Can you tell me how many Isle of Man children have been adopted in the last 5 years, the number by year and if they have been adopted locally or outside of the Isle of Man? 2019 x 1 - on island 2018 x 3 - 2 on island and 1 in UK 2017 x 3 - 3 on island 2016 x 2 - 1 on island and 1 in UK 2015 x 0 Question 2: I would also like to know the number of children under 5 in the Isle of Man in foster care currently? There are currently ten (10) children under the age of five (5) who are placed with foster carers. (Please Note: a child who is under five years of age and placed with foster carers will not necessarily have a permanence plan for adoption). Question 3: I would also like to know the number of non-resident children adopted by an Isle of Man adopter over the past 5 years and if this includes adopters registered with an external adoption agency but residing on the Island? In the past five years we are aware of four (4) children in three (3) separate families that have been placed by UK Agencies with adopters who were assessed and approved in the Isle of Man. Additionally, there are two (2) children from the UK in pre-adoptive placements. Please note that we are unable to advise the numbers of non-resident children adopted by an Isle of Man adopter who was approved and registered with an external adoption agency but residing on the Island.
Please quote the reference number 778665 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely