The Adoption Barometer is the only comprehensive assessment of the lives of adoptive families  across the UK – and the policies that govern adoption. Now in its second year, the Barometer explores families’ experiences throughout the adoption journey, from prospective adopters to those whose children are now young adults. 

It’s based on the biggest ever survey of adopters – this year, nearly 5,000 people responded.  

Since our 2019 report, we've seen progress - in England the extension of the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) & the first experimental data collection on school exclusions, both recommendations from last year. In Wales there's been a £2.3m investment in adoption services. 

The report shows that adopters remain positive and resilient –73% would encourage others to adopt. But families are still struggling to get the support they need and deserve.  

One of the main themes to emerge from this year’s report is the failure in diagnosing and treating brain damage caused by children being exposed to alcohol in the womb. The report reveals that one-in-four adopted children are either diagnosed with, or suspected to have, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

You can read the full Adoption Barometer 2020 report, by clicking on the image above. 

Launch Event 

On Tuesday, 29th September we launched the Adoption Barometer 2020 with an online webinar and live stream hosted by our CEO,  Dr Sue Armstrong-Brown and  featuring the following panellists –

  • Rebecca Brooks - Author of the barometer report
  • Gemma -  Adoptive mother
  • Tulip Siddiq – Shadow Minister (children and early years) 
  • Edward Timpson - Conservative MP
  • Aliy Brown - FASD Hub Manager 
  • Rachael Maskell - MP for York Central and the Shadow Minister for Charities

You can now re-watch this event by clicking this link for our YouTube Channel. 

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