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National Adoption Week (20th – 26th October 2025) is an important annual campaign that raises awareness of adoption and celebrates the many ways families are formed. It highlights that the path to parenthood is not always straightforward and often involves emotional, legal, and practical complexities.
This year’s theme focuses on ‘A Welcome Home’ - celebrating 'perfectly imperfect' families and recognising that adoption is not a one-off event but a lifelong journey. It seeks to give voice to adopted people and their families, encouraging a greater understanding of the experiences, challenges, and relationships that shape their stories.
Despite progress in adoption practice and awareness, many children continue to face long waits before finding a permanent family.
According to data from the Coram Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (ASGLB) and Home for Good:
As of December 2024, 107,317 children were in the care of Local Authorities across the UK.
48% of children waiting for adoption had been waiting longer than 18 months to find their forever home.
The average age of a child at adoption was 3 years and 4 months, meaning most have spent a significant portion of their early lives in care.
Certain groups — including sibling groups, older children (aged 5+), children with disabilities, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds — are disproportionately affected by delays.
There remains a shortage of approved adopters, with more children waiting to be placed than families available to adopt.
The figures reflect a continuing need for awareness, resources, and support within the adoption system — and for clear legal guidance for those navigating it.
The adoption process, while designed to protect the welfare of children, can often be lengthy and complex. Delays between court decisions, placement, and final adoption orders can create uncertainty for children and families alike.
In addition, post-adoption support and contact arrangements are increasingly recognised as vital. Maintaining appropriate connections with a child’s birth family, where safe and beneficial, can help preserve a sense of identity and continuity.
Campaigns like National Adoption Week play a key role in encouraging more people to consider adoption, dispelling myths about who can adopt, and highlighting the need for adopters from diverse backgrounds.
At Taylor Rose, we recognise the life-changing impact that adoption can have — for both children and their adopters. Our Family Law Team is committed to providing clear, compassionate, and practical legal advice to individuals and families embarking on this significant journey.
We assist clients at every stage of the process, including:
Advising prospective adopters on the legal framework and assessment process
Supporting clients following Local Authority involvement or the issuing of a Placement Order
Preparing and submitting Adoption Order applications and representing clients at Family Court hearings
Advising on post-adoption contact with birth parents or relatives
Exploring alternative legal routes to permanency, such as Special Guardianship Orders or Child Arrangements Orders
Our aim is to guide clients through complex decisions with sensitivity, ensuring that the child’s welfare remains at the centre of every outcome.
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