The number of children being adopted increased by 26% over the past year, according to official figures.

The figures show that 5,000 children were placed into new homes over the past 12 months, an increase of 63% in the last three years.

The Government said the figures show improvements to the adoption system are working, cutting down on the delay in placing children with adoptive families.

Secretary of state for education, Nicky Morgan, said: ‘The system is working more quickly, as well as providing more support to families after an adoption has taken place.

‘Children are also spending less time in care waiting to be adopted, with the average length of time between a child coming into care and being placed with their new family down by two months.’

Improvements to the adoption system include new rules requiring councils to actively consider fostering for adoption places where appropriate and a mandatory requirement for all councils to tell prospective adopters about their entitlements.

Children and families minister, Edward Timpson, added: ‘It’s great to see that the number of children adopted from care has risen to the highest level yet. However we refuse to be complacent and we know there is more to be done.’