Almost half of children waiting for adoption are part of sibling group

Of the 2,030 children waiting to be adopted in England, almost half are part of a sibling group (44%). #YouCanAdopt is a new, national campaign which encourages more people to come forward to adopt siblings.

The campaign also aims to raise awareness of adoption and bust myths around who is eligible.

Sue Armstrong Brown, Chief Executive of Adoption UK, said: 

“Placing brothers and sisters together is a complex decision and isn’t right for all children waiting to be adopted. But many adopted children flourish alongside their siblings, benefiting from a strong sense of belonging and the preservation of birth family ties. Positive sibling relationships can provide a source of resilience for children facing adversity and give them continuity at a time of change and uncertainty. When this happens, the rewards can be immense for both children and parents.

“There will undoubtedly be challenges along the way for parents who adopt sibling groups and long-term, specialist support is vital if these families are to thrive. Dedicated and tailored support and training for adopters parenting birth siblings must become routine. Advocating for a fit for purpose modern adoption system is the day-to-day work of Adoption UK, and we won’t stop until every adoptive family and adopted person receives the service and support they deserve.”

The campaign is being delivered by the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group and is supported by the Department for Education. To find out more visit www.youcanadopt.co.uk/brothersandsisters