What kinds of children could I adopt from Plymouth?

Adoption today is very different from how it used to be. In the past a large number of healthy babies needed adopting, but nowadays this is rare and we are desperate for families for toddlers and school-age children up to about age 10.

Rather than being given up at birth, children tend to be separated from their birth families when they are older due to concerns about parenting. As a result, as well as needing adoptive parents for individual children, we need families for groups of two or more brothers and sisters who need to grow up together. In 2008 there has been an increase in the number of larger sibling groups needing adoption, and we are currently seeking adoptive families for several groups of three or four brothers and sisters. We are committed to keeping sibling groups together wherever possible to minimise any further instability and loss.

Will you prioritise my application?

Our priority has to be the best interests of the children currently waiting for a family. We operate an 'Adopt for Plymouth Fastrack' scheme where we will prioritise your application and begin your assessment more quickly if you are likely to meet the needs of the children who most need it.

We are most likely to prioritise your application if you are interested in one of the following types of children:

• Children aged five to ten
• Groups of two or more brothers and sisters (which can include babies, but we would prefer for at least one to be aged three or above)
• Children of all ages with disabilities or significant special needs (eg born dependent on drugs or with severe learning disabilities)
• Children of all ages from minority ethnic groups

Do adopted children have more problems than other children?

All of the children who need adopting have experienced more than their fair share of separation and loss and may have complex emotional, physical or social needs as a result. Some have even been subjected to emotional, physical or sexual abuse. They may express their pain by testing you to the limit and being attention seeking, destructive or ungrateful. Past experience has shown that placing a child in a stable and loving home often has a tremendous effect on their behaviour. With professional help and support, most adopted children go on to achieve normal standards of physical and emotional health, education and development. They therefore need families able to understand their complex behaviour who have the commitment to teach them to trust again.

Some of the children waiting for adoption have special needs such as physical or learning difficulties, or there may be uncertainty about their future development. Such children need adoptive parents with high levels of sensitivity and patience who can help them reach their full potential. People who have adopted for Plymouth often say that adopting a child with more problems requires more strength and commitment, but brings much more satisfaction and reward in the long run.

All kinds of children are waiting for a forever family in Plymouth and they all have different backgrounds and needs. The one thing they all have in common is that they are desperate for a permanent loving family in which to grow up. We need adoptive parents from a wide range of backgrounds in order to match each child to their ideal parent and ensure that their needs are met in the best possible way.

Please read on to learn about real children who are waiting for forever families in Plymouth, and consider whether you could provide a forever family for them or children like them.

Children's Profiles

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