Children that wait longer

Some children wait longer than others to be adopted.

We're supporting a new national campaign from You Can Adopt, encouraging people to consider the children that wait the longest. Read more about the new campaign in our news section.

If you would like to find out more about adopting a child that needs it most, book onto one of our information events.

Book an information event

Who are the children that wait the longest?

Half of children across England wait longer than 18 months from entering care before being adopted. The majority of children waiting for adoption come from specific groups repeatedly facing the longest delays in finding a home.

• Children aged five and over
• Children with additional and/or complex needs
• Brother and sister groups
• Children from a black and mixed heritage background

Compared to children without these characteristics, children from these groups wait an average of eight months longer from entry into care to adoption, a total of 32 months.

• Children over five wait 16 months longer to be adopted from care than children under five
• Children with a disability wait nine months longer to be adopted from care than children without a disability
• Children in sibling groups wait seven months longer to be adopted from care than single children

Black and mixed heritage children wait two months longer than average to be adopted from care, with delays caused because there are not enough Black and mixed heritage adopters coming forward to adopt children from the same background.

While these groups of children will need additional support, the power of family and a permanent home can be transformational for these children, and a circle of support is available to help adopters on this journey.

Who we are looking for

At Adoption@Heart, we are always looking for more adopters to come forward for children of all ages including babies and toddlers.

However, we also need more adopters for brother and sister groups, older children, children with a Black or mixed heritage background, and children with additional needs.

We'll support you

At Adoption@Heart, we offer a range of adoption support services which starts with preparation training, and includes support groups, training, workshops, meet ups, membership to professional bodies, access to an adopter ‘buddy’, and more specialised therapy.

Find out more

If you are thinking about adopting a child, have any questions, or just want to find out more, book onto one of our information events.

Book an information event

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