The adoption sector is facing increasing challenges as the number of children waiting for permanent homes rises, according to recent data from Adoption England. The number of children with placement orders who had not yet been adopted grew from approximately 1,980 in 2021/22 to 3,010 by 2025/26. These children experienced an average wait of 309 days after a placement order was granted, and an average of 646 days since entering care.
During this waiting period, many children are placed with temporary foster families and often move between multiple households as social workers seek suitable adoptive parents. However, the number of individuals registering to become adoptive parents has fallen by 15%, while formal approvals for adopters have dropped 25% over the same timeframe.
One notable factor contributing to the difficulties is the preference among many prospective adopters for babies or very young infants, making older children less likely to be matched promptly. Concerns about the behavioral and emotional needs of older children appear to deter some potential adopters.
Aaron and Ben, a couple who married in 2017, illustrate the personal impact behind these statistics. Motivated by Aaron’s experience teaching teenagers in the foster system, they chose to adopt early in their marriage. After completing the necessary safeguarding checks, they were matched with D, a four-and-a-half-year-old boy in 2019. Despite his young age, D was considered less “desirable” by many adopters seeking infants, yet Aaron and Ben quickly connected with him, drawn by his enthusiasm for superheroes, outdoor play, and science.
After meeting D alongside his foster carers, the couple welcomed him into their home in May 2019. They prepared a bedroom for him, fostered his interests, and involved extended family members to create a strong support network. Now attending secondary school, D has been recognized for his excellent behavior and pursues interests in computer science and rugby.
Aaron emphasizes that adoption need not be limited to biological children or infants. “There are so many sweet, lovely kids out there not receiving the love and hugs they deserve,” he said. “You need to consider the whole lot.”
Adoption England, which is funded by the Department for Education and supports regional adoption agencies, attributes the decline in adopters in part to complex societal factors including economic uncertainty, the rising cost of living, and changing family formation patterns following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anna Sharkey, CEO of Adoption Focus, highlighted the human dimension behind the numbers: “Thousands of children are waiting for the sense of belonging and security that a permanent family can provide. For every child, two years is not simply a statistic—it’s a substantial part of their childhood. Our campaign ‘They’re Still Waiting’ aims to remind everyone that behind each figure is a child who needs a place to call home.”
As the sector grapples with increasing demand and fewer adopters, experts underscore the urgency of expanding support and awareness to ensure more children find permanent and nurturing families.