Standing Together for Adoptive Families

A Message from the CEO of CCS Adoption

The recent BBC coverage of adoption breakdowns and the struggles faced by families has deeply resonated with us at CCS Adoption. As a voluntary adoption agency, we work daily with families navigating the complex realities of parenting children who have experienced trauma. Our thoughts are with every family that has faced these challenges. We have, of course, received messages from some of our families who can connect with these experiences.

Adoption is a journey on which you cannot predict the challenges that each family may face; for some, it is far more complex than anticipated. The stories shared in the article reflect heartbreaking experiences that deserve empathy and understanding. Families who step forward to adopt do so with courage, and when they encounter difficulties, they need support, not judgment and blame, which some families unfortunately experience.

We are, however, concerned about the journalist’s choice of language that appears to place blame on the child. Behaviours that may seem challenging are not a matter of choice; they are rooted in trauma and loss. At CCS Adoption, we know that behaviour is communication, a way for children to express needs and fears.

CCS Adoption offers comprehensive support to families, including: therapeutic interventions, individual support from social workers and family support workers, ongoing training, holiday activities for children, access to peer networks and a wide range of groups. In response to this article, our adopters have written to us, citing the level of support that we have provided as a VAA as a key supportive factor in their adoption journey. This work is funded largely through our own fundraising efforts and, in part, through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). Voluntary agencies like ours receive no direct government funding for post-adoption support, so every pound we invest comes from our determination to ensure families are never left alone.

We were surprised that the article didn’t mention the government’s reduction in funds for the ASGSF, which was cut by 40% this year. This cut has had a profound impact on families who need specialist therapeutic help. At a time when the challenges faced by adoptive families are so clear, reducing funding is simply wrong and deeply harmful.

While it is vital to acknowledge these struggles, we must also remember the many adoptive families who do not experience this level of trauma. Thousands of children thrive in loving homes thanks to dedicated parents and skilled professionals. Adoption transforms lives every day, and we should celebrate and support all families alongside believing and recognising these true challenges.

There are still many children in foster care who urgently need permanent families. Currently, more than twice as many children with plans for adoption as there are prospective adopters looking to adopt. We must work together: agencies, local authorities, policymakers, and communities, to recruit more adopters, improve systems, and create a future where every child can flourish.

If you are an adopter in need of support or considering adoption, please reach out to us by visiting the page below:

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