The number of families approved to adopt children in England has fallen significantly, raising concerns amid growing demand for adoptive placements, according to a leading children’s charity. Latest data reveal that the number of approved adopters is now less than half the number of children currently waiting to be adopted.
Coram, the UK’s first dedicated children’s charity, highlighted the decline as “deeply concerning” and called for renewed attention to the challenges facing adoption services. The charity’s chief executive, Dame Carol Homden, emphasized the importance of addressing both present and future needs in the adoption system as it marks the centenary of the adoption law.
The gap between demand and supply reflects ongoing difficulties in identifying and approving suitable adoptive families, which risks prolonging the time children spend in the care system. Coram urged stakeholders to prioritize investment in recruitment and support for prospective adopters to better meet the needs of children requiring permanent homes.
Adoption legislation, introduced 100 years ago, was designed to secure stable and nurturing family environments for children unable to live with their birth families. However, the current disparity between available families and children waiting suggests that more effective strategies may be needed to sustain and expand the pool of approved adopters.
The charity’s call comes amid broader efforts to improve outcomes for vulnerable children, including reforms aimed at streamlining the adoption process and providing enhanced support for adoptive families. While demand for adoption remains high, experts warn that without targeted initiatives, the gap between children needing permanent placements and those approved to adopt is likely to widen.
Dame Carol’s remarks underscore the need for a coordinated approach involving government agencies, adoption services, and community organizations to ensure children can be placed in safe, stable homes without unnecessary delay. Coram continues to advocate for policies that reflect the evolving needs of children and adoptive families in England.