Children Need a Welcome Home, Not a Perfect One
More families are urged to come forward during National Adoption Week to offer children in care a stable future.
As National Adoption Week begins (20–26 October), Adopt Birmingham is calling on more families to step forward and offer children the a stable home as new research reveals that misconceptions about needing a ‘perfect home’ are preventing potential adopters from coming forward.
This year’s campaign is supported by The Great British Bake Off’s Prue Leith (adopter), Sort Your Life Out’s Dilly Carter (who was adopted), Love Island’s Sanam Harrinanan (a Post Adoption Social Worker) – as well as Oscar-winning author Charlie Mackesy.
Latest figures show a concerning 12% drop in families registering their interest to adopt compared to last year, leaving 2,940 children across England waiting for a stable future. Many prospective adopters are held back by worries they don’t have the ‘ideal’ circumstances – but the reality tells a different story.
New research from You Can Adopt shows that 86% of adoptive parents surveyed were initially worried they needed a ‘perfect home’ to pass the adoption assessment. However, the data reveals that just over two fifths (41%) of adoptive parents live in homes with two bedrooms, two thirds (65%) don’t have a garden, and a quarter (25%) live in rented accommodation.
The delays are having a real impact on children’s lives. On average, it now takes 292 days from the moment a child is approved for adoption to when they’re placed with a family – 11 days longer than last year. More children are now facing delays of over 18 months before being matched, highlighting the urgent need for more adopters.
Andy Logie, Head of Service at Adopt Birmingham, said: “Right now, there are children across Birmingham waiting for families who are ready to welcome them home. The drop in adoption enquiries means children are waiting longer, and every delay matters when you’re a young person looking for somewhere to belong. We’re not looking for perfect families – we’re looking for committed, loving families from all walks of life. Whether you rent or own, have a garden or not, live in a flat or a house – what matters is your ability to provide a safe, nurturing home. Please don’t let misconceptions hold you back from finding out more.”
Post Adoption Social Worker and former Love Island winner Sanam Harrinanan, who is supporting the National Campaign, said: “As a Post Adoption Social Worker, I spend time in adoptive homes from all walks of life – each unique and each filled with love. I know lots of people worry about the process, but I can say with confidence that perfection is not required! Whether your house is owned or rented, big or small, whether you live alone or with extended family – it’s all about learning as you go and being committed to giving a child their forever home. And even after the adoption order is granted, you’re never on your own – post adoption support is here for you, whenever you need it.”
Before adopting, many prospective parents had concerns about what they could offer, including worries about the size of their home (23%) or having too low an income (21%). This National Adoption Week, Adopt Birmingham wants to reassure families that children don’t need perfection – they need love, stability and a warm welcome home.
To find out more about adoption and take the first step, visit the Adoption Process section.