Adoption statistics and facts

Adoption statistics

Here are just a few statistics relating to adoption in the North East of England and the UK as a whole.

Figures from the Adoption Register (October 2018).

You may be interested to know that during 2021, approximately 1 in 3 adopters approved by ARC Adoption were in same-sex relationships - higher than the national average.

Government Statistics Children Looked After in England Including Adoptions

Adoption facts

Below are some facts relating to who can adopt in the UK.

If you have questions about adoption, or would like more information about the adoption process and the outstanding support available at ARC Adoption, call 0191 516 6466 or click the adoption enquiry button below to submit an enquiry and a member of the ARC Adoption team will contact you as soon as possible.

Adoption enquiry

Latest

Face-to-Face Adoption Information Event – Saturday 11th June 2022

Calling prospective adopters! Join us at our office in Sunderland for an informal information event where you can meet some of our friendly team along with an adoptive parent, finding out more about adoption and the extensive support available from ARC Adoption.
Virtual Adoption Information Event – Thursday 9th June 2022

Join us at our June online information event to find out more about adoption from our friendly and experienced team. Learn about the adoption process, and hear about the thorough preparation and lifelong support that ARC is proud to provide it's adopters.
Paediatric First Aid Workshop - Sunday 12th June 2022

Come and join the ARC Adoption team for a practical workshop to demonstrate basic first aid and emergency procedures.
Fostering for Adoption Workshop - Thursday 16th June 2022

ARC Adoption North East would like to invite their adopters to a Fostering for Adoption workshop. It outlines the key aspects of the Fostering for Adoption process and how it differs from mainstream adoption. Come and join the team to find out more.

How adoption works

Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be looked after by their birth parents and need to belong to a new family.
How long does the UK adoption process take?
Matching panel

Once the family finding process is complete the match will need to be agreed formally by the adoption panel for the child’s agency. If approval is recommended by the adoption panel for the match, the child’s adoption agency decision maker then makes the final decision.
Fostering for adoption

At ARC Adoption North East are committed to exploring different routes to adoption. ARC Adoption offers an early permanence route, often referred to as fostering for adoption or foster to adopt. Fostering for adoption means that young children, usually babies, are placed at a young age with approved potential adopters who would also be approved temporary foster carers whilst the family court decides on the child’s future.
Initial visit

Following your initial enquiry, if you would like to progress with the adoption process a member of ARC Adoption North East’s team will visit you in your home. The initial visit will be very informal and take place at a date and time that is convenient for you and will last about two hours. It’s an opportunity to have your questions answered in more detail and help the team get to know you better.
Checks and references

Stage one of the adoption process begins after you have received some general information, an initial visit at your home and ARC Adoption North East are in receipt of your ‘registration of interest’ from you.
Finding the right child for you

Once you become an approved adopter, it’s time to start looking for the right child or children that will join your family.
Contact us

At ARC Adoption North East we value your opinion. All compliments, comments and complaints are accepted and considered with the greatest respect. Your feedback is welcomed to help develop ARC Adoption North East’s services.
LGBT+ Adopters

ARC Adoption is proud to support and guide LGBT+ adopters through the adoption process to parenthood.
Intercountry adoption

ARC Adoption North East is registered with Ofsted to provide inter-country adoption services