Prospective parents are no longer queuing up to adopt children in care

Martha Gill

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For every young person who finds a new home, 28 are left desperately hoping for an adoptive family. We know background checks have got tougher, but that doesn't explain the gap

When it comes to adoption, demand generally outstrips supply. In 1968, the year abortion was legalised, 24,831 children were eagerly taken in to new homes. In subsequent decades, contraception improved, single parents were less impoverished, and we stopped removing children from unmarried mothers. Fewer babies were left on orphanage doorsteps and more would-be parents were left disappointed.

But now something strange is happening in England. There are more children in care and fewer people waiting to adopt them. In 2024 there were 83,630 in the care system, a 23% increase from 2014. Simultaneously, between 2013 and 2023, the numbers of "approved families" dropped by 60%. In 2024 there were 28 children for every one adopted. Why the mismatch?

One answer might be that a rigorous screening process is now locking out too many potential parents. In law, those looking to adopt in England and Wales only have to be over 21 and have residency. But local authorities are

Local authorities can no longer afford to give families much support