Children who need adoptive families
Adoption is a way of providing a new family for a child when living with their own family is not possible. It is the means of giving a child an opportunity to start again: for many children, adoption may be their only chance of experiencing family life.
The children we place will be referred by local authorities throughout England and Wales.
Every adoption situation is unique but, for adoption to be the plan for the child, there will be some reason why it is not in the child’s best interests to remain in the birth family.
There are some circumstances when the birth family decide they are unable to bring up a child themselves and request adoption but, more commonly, the children placed through Barnardo’s will have been removed from their birth families because of concerns about their welfare. The children may have experienced neglect and/or abuse and so will require extra help and support.
Age range
Barnardo’s places children of all ages for adoption. The majority of children placed are in the 1-4 age group but we particularly welcome enquiries from people who feel able to consider older children and sibling groups that include a child over the age of 4, as these children often wait longest for adoptive families.
Ethnicity/religion
Many of the children we place are from black, minority ethnic and dual heritage backgrounds. We aim to place children in families who match their ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious background as this is the best way to meet their identity needs. Where an exact match cannot be achieved, we give special consideration to the support needs of the child and family.
Disability and health needs
Some of the children we place have developmental delay, a disability, a specific medical condition or some uncertainty about their health or development. There may be genetic factors which mean the child is at risk of developing certain conditions later in life.
Siblings
A lot of children needing an adoptive family are part of a group of brothers and sisters. Families who can help keep brothers and sisters together are especially welcome. This may be a sibling group of 2,3 4 or even more! Sometimes it is not in the children's best interests to be placed together but they do need to keep in touch, so a willingness to help maintain contact with siblings is helpful.
General
All children who need adoption will have experienced some degree of separation and loss even if they are too young to remember this. They will need adoptive families who are sensitive to their needs and who are able to help them achieve their potential. Our assessment and preparation process is designed to help you gain an understanding of children's needs, and we offer continued support through the adoption process and beyond.
