The ‘harder to place’ kids need a loving home

A nationwide campaign, You Can Adopt, funded by the Department for Education, found that 88% of potential adopters want a child aged between one and four. The campaign encourages us to think differently.

While there can be additional challenges, back-up support is available and the message is clear: ‘harder to place’ children are not harder to love.

Yet, statistics reveal that of the 1,220 children waiting to be adopted in the UK who typically wait the longest, 25% are aged five or over, 17% are from an ethnic minority (excluding white minorities), almost half (43%) are in a sibling group and 6% have a disability.

Mark Owers, chair of the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group, says: ‘We’re looking for adopters with an altruistic mindset and a lot of love to give. What children need is a loving home and resilient parents who are up for living a “life less ordinary”. Most potential adopters already have the skills and attributes they need to change the course of these children’s lives.’

Children who aren’t adopted by a certain age are likely to remain in foster care. Their life chances are greatly enhanced by adoption, as caring, supportive adults can be powerful forces in helping the brain readjust following early trauma and separation.

Becoming an adopter may be easier than you think. You must be at least 21, be a UK resident and have no serious criminal offences. Being single, older or in a samesex relationship is no barrier.

• For more information, visit youcanadopt.co.uk and adoptionuk.org