A Diagrama Adoption Perspective
Written by Kate Patel, Head of Adoption and Fostering
Across the country, adoption agencies are facing a concerning trend: while the number of children needing permanent families remains high, fewer people are coming forward to adopt. This is not, I am certain, due to a lack of compassion or concern but rather the result of overlapping social, economic and cultural pressures that make adoption seem more daunting than ever before.
At Diagrama Adoption, we see these challenges on the ground every day and understanding them is key to supporting prospective parents and ensuring that children find the stable, loving homes they deserve.
The scope of the need
The number of children waiting for adoption in England has increased significantly in recent years. As of mid-2025, there were approximately 2,940 children with a placement order waiting to be matched with adoptive families, up by roughly 45% compared to three years earlier.
Meanwhile, the number of approved adopters has dropped sharply from about 2,480 to around 1,420 over the same period, a decline of around 43%. This imbalance means more children are waiting longer, with the average time between a child entering care and being placed with an adoptive family nearly 10 months.
Half of those waiting have been in the system for 18 months or more, and children who are older, in sibling groups, from ethnic minority backgrounds or with additional needs face especially long waits. These are the very groups of children that Diagrama Adoption specialises in supporting, and we understand that finding families for children who may wait the longest and whose needs are often more complex is more difficult.
Demand for adoptive families is rising
These figures paint a clear picture: the demand for adoptive families is rising, but the supply of adopters is shrinking, and the reasons are rooted in broader societal shifts.
Alongside these challenges, the Government’s 2024–27 strategy for modernising adoption sets out a clear ambition to reshape how adoption works in England, so it is more responsive, consistent and family-centred. The strategy focuses on modernising recruitment and matching processes, making better use of data and digital tools, and strengthening regional collaboration so children are not delayed by postcode differences.
A key emphasis is improving the experience for both children and adopters by reducing bureaucracy, increasing transparency, and ensuring families receive the right support at the right time, not just up to placement, but throughout their adoption journey. By placing stability, early support and long-term outcomes at its core, the strategy recognises that adoption must evolve to meet the increasingly complex needs of children waiting today.
The credit and cost-of-living crisis
Economic instability is among the most frequently cited barriers prospective adopters mention. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, rising energy bills, housing costs and the broader credit squeeze have left many feeling financially insecure, even when in stable employment.
Although agencies do not expect prospective adopters to be wealthy, perceptions about “financial readiness” act as a psychological barrier. Many people worry that past credit issues or financial commitments will count against them, even though adoption assessments look at overall stability and support networks, not perfection. This uncertainty disproportionately affects young adults and those early in their careers, groups who otherwise might have been well-placed to adopt.
Working from home: flexibility and pressure
The shift to remote work has transformed family life, and while flexible working should, in theory, make adoption more achievable, many people report the opposite experience. For many, working from home has meant constant overlap between work and personal life, increased expectations for availability, and ongoing career pressure without the separation and support provided by a workplace community.
Prospective adopters often voice concerns that managing professional responsibilities alongside the emotional and practical demands of a newly adopted child feels overwhelming, especially without clear signals that their employers will be supportive of adoption leave and the time required for introductions and early bonding. This uncertainty can amplify hesitation, particularly for single adopters or those without nearby family support.
Fewer people coming forward to adopt: Social narratives and changing family patterns
Alongside economic and cultural pressures, broader shifts in how society approaches family formation are influencing adoption rates. People are having children later in life, family structures are changing, and there is greater diversity in how people build families. While these developments open doors for a wider range of adopters, they also create uncertainty around timing and readiness.
Media narratives that emphasise the challenges of adoption, rather than balancing them with stories of joy, growth and resilience, can also contribute to misconceptions. Many prospective adopters tell us they feel they must be “perfectly prepared” before considering adoption, an unrealistic standard that stops many before they take the first step and one which we address during our online information sessions.
Looking forward: building confidence and connection
The decline in adoption enquiries should not be read as a lack of willingness to adopt. Instead, it reflects a society grappling with uncertainty, where people feel less confident about making long-term commitments. To address this, we need coordinated effort from adoption agencies, employers, policymakers and community organisations.
At Diagrama Adoption, we know that clear information, compassionate guidance and ongoing support make a decisive difference. As a voluntary adoption agency, we work independently of local authorities and can offer a more personalised, flexible approach, taking the time to build strong, trusting relationships with prospective adopters.
This means people are supported at their own pace, with consistent professionals throughout their journey. Prospective adopters need reassurance that they don’t have to have all the answers from the outset and that support continues long after a child comes home.
Adoption remains one of the most powerful ways to change lives. By acknowledging the real pressures potential adopters face, from economic stress to emotional fatigue and responding with empathy and practical help, we can make sure that fewer children are left waiting and more families find the courage to take that first step.
If you’d like to participate in a Diagrama online information event, head to our website to get all the information and register for an online event.
About Diagrama Adoption
Diagrama Adoption is a voluntary, independent adoption agency, dedicated to finding loving families who can offer a permanent home for children across London, Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
The Diagrama Adoption agency is small enough to offer a personalised and friendly adoption experience while benefitting from the expertise and security that comes with being part of the larger Diagrama charitable foundation.
Diagrama Adoption welcomes all adoption enquiries regardless of age, faith, sexuality, ethnicity or whether you are single or a couple.
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