Recent research showed that black communities have positive views around adoption, with 80% stating that they have either adopted, considered or would consider adopting a child in the future.
Children of colour and mixed ethnic children and young people are disproportionately overrepresented in the care system. Latest government statistics show that black children are more likely to be looked-after (7%) and less likely to be adopted (2%) compared with their share of the under-18-year-old population (5%) while Asian children are less likely to be looked-after (4%) and less likely to be adopted (1%) compared with their share of the under-18-year-old population (10%). This compares to white children who are less likely to be looked-after (74%) and more likely to be adopted (83%) compared with their share of the population of all under-18-year-olds (79%).
Of all the children living in care with a plan for adoption, black boys spend longest in care before an adoptive family is found.
That fewer black and ethnic minority children are adopted is not helped by a lack of racial diversity among adopters and carers.
More needs to be done to understand the barriers that exist for prospective adopters from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Black adopters tell us they worry the system will work against them, and our research shows they do wait longer for approval to adopt, and for a match with a child. They’re also more likely than other adopters to say the process was so hard, they wondered whether they could continue.
We also need to tackle the bits of the adoption system that aren’t working the way they need to. That involves better outreach, better support for black adopters who do come forward to adopt, and more diverse and better trained social workers.
We’re celebrating the achievements of black adopted people this Black History month, and the people who inspire them. Comedian Joy Carter says: “The person who has made the biggest difference in my life when it comes to adoption is the late great Dr Perlita Harris, an adoptee and a pioneer of the adoptee voice in society. I met her at one of her trans racial and trans-national adoption groups. It made me realise I’m not alone, and there’s power when we come together to share and celebrate who we are, who we were and who we are becoming.”
We’re part of a national recruitment campaign called You Can Adopt, which has a special focus on children who wait the longest. That includes outreach to black & ethnic minority communities, and training for social workers. We have a community group for black, Asian & ethnic minority adopters and prospective adopters and you can also call our Helpline: 0300 666 0006 for advice and support. Replenish Culture are an organisation dedicated to empowering black and mixed heritage looked after or adopted children.
AUK Ethnically Diverse Community Group
Find out more about fostering and adoption
You Can Adopt
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