This National Adoption Week (20–26 October), a new campaign is challenging the idea that prospective adopters need to have a ‘perfect home’ to adopt – as new figures reveal a 12 per cent drop in adoption interest across England, leaving nearly 3,000 children still waiting for a permanent family.
A new survey by You Can Adopt shows that 86 per cent of adoptive parents were worried they needed an ideal home to pass the adoption assessment process. Yet the reality is far more modest:
- 41 per cent of adoptive families live in homes with two bedrooms or fewer
- 65 per cent do not have a garden
- 25 per cent live in rented accommodation
The campaign aims to dispel myths and reduce barriers to adoption by highlighting real stories from adoptive families and showing that children don’t need perfection – they need a welcome home.
Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, said: “We know that many people worry they won’t meet the criteria to adopt, but the truth is that love, stability and commitment matter far more than having a big house or a garden.
“At Thurrock Council, we’re proud to support adoptive families at every stage of their journey. With so many children still waiting for a permanent home, National Adoption Week is a great opportunity to encourage more people to come forward and explore adoption. You don’t need to be perfect, just keen to make a difference.”
The latest data shows that 2,940 children are currently waiting to be adopted in England, with many facing delays of over 18 months before being matched with a family. On average, it now takes 292 days from the moment a child is approved for adoption to when they’re placed – 11 days longer than last year.
Many prospective adopters also expressed concerns about their income (21 per cent) or home size (23 per cent), highlighting the need for better awareness and reassurance around the adoption process.
As part of National Adoption Week, You Can Adopt have created a new installation ‘A Welcome Home’ which has opened in London and Leeds. The installation is shaped by the stories of real adoptive families from across the country - celebrating ‘perfectly imperfect’ adoptive family homes.
Learn more about the new installation here, or watch the video below:
To find out more about adoption or starting your adoption journey, visit: www.thurrock.gov.uk/adoption