Rise in babies in care proceedings raises fears of unnecessary adoptions, experts tell BBC

The number of children involved in care proceedings before they reach their first birthdays is at a persistently high level across England, according to experts who have published new figures.

While there are cases where it is unsafe for parents to continue contact with their children, experts have told File on 4 Investigates that many babies may not have needed to go into care if support had been in place.

The BBC understands that new guidance for Family Court judges, to significantly reduce the number of short-notice care hearings - within hours or days of a baby being born - will be announced before the end of the year.

Only up to a quarter of children's care proceedings are "clear-cut", involving serious harm or abuse, says Prof Karen Broadhurst

According to latest government figures, 72% of adopted children in England went into care before turning one.

Courts overruled parents' wishes in just under half of those cases. The rest were classed as "unopposed", with many parents advised not to contest the adoptions, because they would be unlikely to succeed.

Some babies taken into care before their first birthdays might have stayed at home if families had received the right support, experts tell File on 4 Investigates.

When a child is placed in care, birth parents are often allowed contact - but not always.

But the majority were "grey area" cases of neglect by families with complex needs, she says, including drug and alcohol abuse, and housing issues, which might have improved with support.

Social workers are at the heart of the decision-making process as to whether a child should be taken into care.

She says she and her colleagues carry out wide-ranging and detailed assessments of parents - including judging whether there is enough past and present evidence of a future risk of harm to their children.