Why National Adoption Week Matters in Northern Ireland

20th Oct, 2025

Why National Adoption Week Matters in Northern Ireland

National Adoption Week is more than just a reminder, it’s an opportunity to shine a light on the lives of children in care, its challenges and the vital role adoption plays in offering stability, belonging, and hope. In Northern Ireland, the need is clear: there are more children in care than there are approved adoptive families available, and many children are waiting too long for the permanent, loving homes they deserve.

The Situation in Northern Ireland

• In the year ending 31 March 2025, 96 children were adopted from care in Northern Ireland very similar to the previous year. https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/ news/ publication-children-adopted-care-northern-ireland-202425
• There are many more still waiting for their own new family for life.

Why National Adoption Week Is So Important

• Raising awareness – Many people don’t realise how many children are in care who can never go home, or how long they wait to be adopted. Awareness helps reduce stigma and misunderstandings around adoption.
• Encouraging more adopters – Because there are many children waiting for a new family, every additional approved adopter matters. More families coming forward makes a real difference to the children who are waiting.
• Highlighting the need for reduced delays – Statistics show that some children wait several years to be placed for adoption. That waiting has emotional, developmental and relational impacts. National Adoption Week helps to push for improvements in process, supports, and resources.
• Celebrating inclusion & diversity – Adoption is an opportunity to make many kinds of families: That single parents, LGBTQ+ couples, married and unmarried people, people of faith or no faith, people of different races and ethnicities all have something to offer to children is a powerful reminder of what adoption can do.
• Supporting children’s wellbeing – Ultimately, adoption is about giving children the chance to feel rooted, safe, and loved. National Adoption Week reminds all of us, policy makers, communities and individuals that children deserve more than temporary care, they deserve stable homes.

Family Care Adoption Services & How You Can Make a Difference

At Family Care Adoption Services, we believe Every Child Deserves a Family Life and we are committed to supporting children to find loving, permanent homes. We are always looking for more adopters, and we welcome adopters of all kinds: married, single, LGBTQ+, practising a faith or of no faith, people of any race, denomination or ethnic background.

Because every child waiting is unique and their circumstances are different, we need those different types of families who have something exceptional to offer. What matters most is the love, commitment and stability that you can give to a child and a readiness to stand with them as they grow.

If you have ever thought about adoption, whether you’re just curious, considering your future or ready to begin the process we would love to hear from you. You don’t have to have everything figured out, we will walk the path together. There is training, support and a community here waiting to help. Our staff are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Final Thoughts

National Adoption Week isn’t just a calendar event, it’s a call to action. It’s about recognising that a child in care is a child who deserves family, time, care and belonging. By coming forward, by opening your life and your heart, you can change a child’s life for ever. Together, we can make sure more children in Northern Ireland find there forever home.

Contact Information

Please phone:                     028 9069 1133

Or email                                email@familycareadoption.org

There is also a lot more information on our Website

www.familycareadoption.com