Parents of teenagers and young adults (England)

Confidence in the provision of support services for adopted teenagers and young adults remains very low. In particular, most adopted 16-25-year-olds did not find the service they received from CAMHS to have been helpful. Adoptees remain at least twice as likely to be out of employment, education and training as their 16-25-year-old peers, highlighting the pressing need for better support during the transition to adulthood. 

Statement

UK-Wide 

England 

I feel well prepared as a parent for the possibility of direct contact during the teen years. 

27% 

27% 

I feel confident that appropriate support is available from adoption support services for teens and young adults and their families. 

19% 

20% 

I feel confident that other statutory services (e.g. mental health, housing, education) have a good understanding of the needs of adopted young people. 

11% 

10% 

My young adult child is getting the support they need from statutory services. 

28% 

27% 

My young adult child is in education, employment or training. 

69% 

70% 

 

What is going well? 

“We had an incident that involved the police with our child and the support we received from [our adoption agency] and also the Virtual School was brilliant.” 

“The therapists we have engaged with have been excellent - flexible, empathic, developing strong relationships with our daughters and really making progress with supporting them. They have been vital to our family wellbeing and a real lifeline.” 

“I massively appreciate our monthly parent support group. It has saved me.” 

  

What could be improved? 

“We have had a tremendous amount of support from our Adoption Services over the years. More recently however our children are reaching out to the communities in which they live. Perhaps the Adoption Services could establish a direct relationship with them by way of a circular email informing them of useful help and support that they can access or tap into if necessary.” 

“Overall, while individual professionals sometimes provide excellent, child‑centred support, the wider adoption support system lacks clarity, consistency and efficiency. Families like ours need a more streamlined, better‑communicated service that doesn’t place unnecessary administrative burdens on us during already stressful periods.” 

“More alternatives should be offered to attract young adults to engage in support that they don't necessarily feel they need, e.g. equine or animal therapies. Not many young adults feel comfortable in a sit-down, face-to-face setting especially when they struggle with communication.” 

 

27%

of adopted 13-18-year-olds had direct contact with a birth relative during 2025. 

27% 

of adoptive parents say they feel well prepared for the possibility of unplanned direct contact during the teen years.

48% 

of adopted 16-25-year-olds accessed or attempted to access NHS mental health services during 2025. 

74% 

of adoptive parents do not feel their young adult child is getting the support they need. 

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