Adoption Barometer

Now in its fourth year, the Adoption Barometer is the only comprehensive assessment of the lives of adoptive families across the UK, from preparation, through the early years and beyond, and the policies and practices that affect adopted people and their families. This year we have a special focus on direct contact with birth family, including the perspectives of adopted adults. Click on the image above to read the report.

England video overview:

Wales video overview (English):

Wales video overview (Welsh):

For info about our work with adopted people

The Barometer makes waves

Since our first report in 2019:

When adopters receive support, their assessments of its quality and impact have improved.
Policy makers cite the Barometer as vital in securing annual extensions to the Adoption Support Fund (ASF).
We saw the first data collection on school exclusions in England – a Barometer recommendation.
In Wales, a £2.3m government investment in adoption services has led to improved scores across the board from Welsh adopters
The Barometer was cited several times in the new National Adoption Strategy in England, and its statistics and recommendations are frequently referenced by politicians and professionals in all four nations of the UK.
The Adoption and Children Act passed into law in Northern Ireland in 2022 following years of work by AUK and the wider adoption community, supported by the evidence contained in the Barometer.
Thanks in part to the views of the adoption community set out in the Barometer, adopters in Wales now have an official commitment from the National Adoption Service to provide them with the support they need.