What's happened
Adoption services in Scotland and Hong Kong are experiencing significant challenges, including a decline in registered adopters and a shortage of foster carers. Organizations like Barnardo's and Kibble in Scotland, along with Mother’s Choice in Hong Kong, are working to address these issues amid increasing numbers of children awaiting permanent homes.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Scotsman, Barnardo's Scotland reported a 19% decrease in registered adopters, raising concerns about the future of adoption in the region. Anne Whyte from Barnardo's emphasized the need for more applications from prospective adopters, particularly for older children and those with complex needs. Meanwhile, Kibble Adoption aims to address the shortage of foster carers by working closely with local authorities to streamline the adoption process. In Hong Kong, Sky Siu of Mother’s Choice highlighted the urgency of finding families for children with complicated backgrounds, noting that 68% of children awaiting adoption fall into this category. The Guardian reported a national crisis in foster care in England, with a 10-year low in the number of foster carers, exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable children.
How we got here
The decline in adoption services has been attributed to various factors, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial pressures on local authorities, and a growing number of children in need of adoption. This situation has led to longer waiting times for children and prospective adopters.
Common question
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Barnardo's is a British charity founded by Thomas John Barnardo in 1866, to care for vulnerable children. As of 2013, it raised and spent around £200 million each year running around 900 local services, aimed at helping these same groups.