A North Yorkshire couple, Emma and Mike, who adopted two children earlier this year, are encouraging others to consider adoption in light of a decline in adoption registrations in England. According to the charity Adoption Matters, there has been a 12% decrease in adoption registrations from 2024 to 2025, which they attribute to factors like the rising cost of living.
Emma and Mike adopted a brother and sister in January 2025 after the children had spent two and a half years in foster care. The couple expressed joy in having the siblings together as part of their family. Emma highlighted the emotional aspect of their lengthy wait for a permanent family, stating, “It feels slightly heartbreaking that they had waited so long to find that forever family.”
Both Emma and Mike described the adoption process as intimidating but also likened it to the challenges of parenting in general. They sought to clarify that their decision to adopt was not secondary to biological constraints; instead, they believed the siblings were meant to be part of their family. They first encountered their children at an “adoption activity day,” where the initial connection was forged through the children’s joyful demeanor.
Emma and Mike have stressed the importance of spreading awareness about adoption, expressing concern over the decreasing interest among prospective parents. They noted the increasing number of children who need adoptive families, stating, “The graph is going the wrong way.”
Recent statistics revealed that, in the Yorkshire and Humber region, 390 children are currently waiting for adoptive families. Jacqui Shore of Adoption Matters emphasized the need for more families during these challenging times, particularly as local authorities face financial constraints that could affect adoption support. Emma and Mike reflected positively on their adoption journey thus far, noting the laughter and challenges that have come with building their family.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crexlx52nxvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss