Why do children need adopting?

There are many reasons why some children cannot be brought up by their birth families.

In the past many babies were adopted due to unwanted pregnancy, but this is now rare. Nowadays, the children who need adoption in Plymouth, Devon and across the UK are toddlers or school age children from families with serious issues such as physical or mental ill health, family breakdown or substance abuse. Many have experienced neglect or emotional, physical or sexual abuse and cannot return to their family in the interests of their own safety.

Sometimes birth parents realise that they are not in a position to provide their children with the upbringing they deserve and request that they are adopted. However, in most cases the courts have decided that adoption is in the child’s best interests. Plymouth City Council adoption team believe that children should be raised by their own families wherever possible, and adoption is only decided on when every possible alternative has been considered.

Real-life adoption story