Brief
UK adoption system sees 3,000 children waiting as family registrations fall
New figures reveal a growing backlog in the UK adoption system, with waiting times exceeding two years for many children.
By Felo News Desk · Published
New data released by Adoption England and cited by the Independent shows that an estimated 3,000 children are currently waiting for a permanent home in the UK, amid a sharp decline in adoptive family registrations.
What happened
According to Adoption England, the number of children with a Placement Order who had not yet moved in with an adoptive family rose from about 1,980 in the 2021/22 financial year to 3,010 in 2025/26. By March 2026, the average wait since the order was issued stood at 309 days, while the average wait from entry into care was 646 days. The data also indicates that adopter‑family registrations fell by 15 % and adoption approvals dropped by 25 % over the same period.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that some children wait more than two years for a permanent placement, with the longest recorded wait reaching four years and three months. It adds that older teenagers and school‑age children can remain in foster care for several years, moving between temporary homes as social workers seek stable placements.
What was said
"He definitely has a certain factor – I don’t know what it is about him, everyone is drawn towards him," said Aaron, a high‑school teacher who adopted a four‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old boy named D in May 2019. Aaron’s comments were reported by the Independent.
How it came about
The shortage of adoptive families is linked to a preference among many prospective adopters for babies or very young infants, leaving older children less desirable. This trend, combined with the overall drop in registrations and approvals, has contributed to the growing backlog highlighted in the latest figures.
Key facts
- Around 3,000 children are waiting for a permanent home in the UK adoption system. (independent.co.uk)
- Placement orders without adoption increased from ~1,980 in 2021/22 to 3,010 in 2025/26. (independent.co.uk)
- Adopter‑family registrations fell by 15% and approvals fell by 25% over the same period. (independent.co.uk)
- Average wait time since placement order was 309 days; average wait since entering care was 646 days. (independent.co.uk)
- Some children wait over two years, with the longest wait recorded at four years and three months. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Over 3,000 children waiting for ‘forever home’ amid shortfall in adoptive families”
