Only five per cent of Bradford children in care are successfully placed in new adoptive homes, new figures reveal.

But social services workers stressed their commitment to adoption as the best option for many under-eight year olds and pledged to boost the figure by helping more vulnerable youngsters find new 'forever families'.

And they renewed calls made last year in the Telegraph & Argus Adoption Crisis Appeal for caring would-be adopters to come forward.

The figures were released in a new national league table comparing the performance of local authorities in placing children for adoption.

Bradford finished mid-table, placing 31 children during 1997/8, or five per cent. A handful of councils placed less than one per cent of 'Looked After' children, while others managed to place as many as ten per cent.

Both North Yorkshire County Council and Calderdale Council only managed to place six children each in 1997/8 - representing two per cent in each case.

Leeds (61 children) and Kirklees (20 children) fared better, both successfully placing six per cent of youngsters.

Pro-adoption campaigners published the figures in a bid to shame poor-performing local authorities, which they accused of having an ideological bias against adoption.

In Bradford, social workers are strongly pro-adoption, but are held back by a lack of would-be adoptive families, said co-ordinator Jody Sheppard.

"Clearly we would like to find an adoptive family for every child for whom that's the plan," she said.

"Until that's achievable, we can't be complacent."

She added that the figures for 1999/2000 would be much better, thanks in part to the successful T&A campaign which recruited an additional 26 potential adoptive families. Applicants are now going through the assessment and preparation process.

l Anyone who wants information about adoption in Bradford may contact the Council on (01274) 754331. There will be an information meeting for those who want to find out more on April 21, from 6.30pm-8pm at Bradford Central Library.

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