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  1. Home
  2. Black History Month

Black History Month

 
This Black History Month we’re celebrating the achievements of black adopted people and adopters, and highlighting the challenges they face.

Recent research showed that black communities have positive views around adoption, with 80% stating that they have either adopted, considered or would consider adopting a child in the future.

Children of colour and mixed ethnic children and young people are disproportionately overrepresented in the care system. Latest government statistics show that black children are more likely to be looked-after (7%) and less likely to be adopted (2%) compared with their share of the under-18-year-old population (5%) while Asian children are less likely to be looked-after (4%) and less likely to be adopted (1%) compared with their share of the under-18-year-old population (10%). This compares to white children who are less likely to be looked-after (74%) and more likely to be adopted (83%) compared with their share of the population of all under-18-year-olds (79%).   

Of all the children living in care with a plan for adoption, black boys spend longest in care before an adoptive family is found.

That fewer black and ethnic minority children are adopted is not helped by a lack of racial diversity among adopters and carers.

More needs to be done to understand the barriers that exist for prospective adopters from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Black adopters tell us they worry the system will work against them, and our research shows they do wait longer for approval to adopt, and for a match with a child. They’re also more likely than other adopters to say the process was so hard, they wondered whether they could continue.

We also need to tackle the bits of the adoption system that aren’t working the way they need to. That involves better outreach, better support for black adopters who do come forward to adopt, and more diverse and better trained social workers.

We’re celebrating the achievements of black adopted people this Black History month, and the people who inspire them. Comedian Joy Carter says: “The person who has made the biggest difference in my life when it comes to adoption is the late great Dr Perlita Harris,  an adoptee and a pioneer of the adoptee voice in society. I met her at one of her trans racial and trans-national adoption groups. It made me realise I’m not alone, and there’s power when we come together to share and celebrate who we are, who we were and who we are becoming.” 

 


How we can support you

We’re part of a national recruitment campaign called You Can Adopt, which has a special focus on children who wait the longest. That includes outreach to black & ethnic minority communities, and training for social workers.  We have a community group for black, Asian & ethnic minority adopters and prospective adopters and you can also call our Helpline: 0300 666 0006 for advice and support.

AUK Ethnically Diverse Community Group

Find out more about fostering and adoption

You Can Adopt

 


Adoption stories

 

Amy

Amy

Adoption can be seen as a last resort for starting a family, but it was always my first choice. My view is, why create more people when so many children already need homes? Read more

Published: 20th April, 2021

Updated: 17th October, 2022

Author: Online Team

Gaer

Gaer

When our suspicions of fertility issues were confirmed, my husband and I decided on adoption straight away, rather than riding the emotional rollercoaster of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Read more

Published: 26th August, 2021

Updated: 17th October, 2022

Author: Online Team

Louise

Louise

Louise was born in Rwanda and orphaned as a result of the civil war in 1990. After spending time in an orphanage, she and her brother were adopted by a French couple in 1993... Read more

Published: 25th August, 2021

Updated: 17th October, 2022

Author: Online Team

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