The breakdown of the UK adoption system – Why some adopted children are being returned to care and what needs to change

The BBC has recently published results of its six-month investigation into adoptions that have broken down. They also shared the news that more than 1,000 adopted children in the UK have been returned to care in the past five years.

The investigation uncovered a hidden world where parents are subjected to blame by authorities across the UK, as they struggle with the needs of traumatised children who have often suffered abuse and neglect before they were removed from their birth families. In interviews with more than 50 families, parents shared their experiences of feeling ill-equipped and under prepared, isolated, threatened, harassed, taken into police custody, with many even pushed into a mental health crisis.

The BBC’s findings relating to the breakdown of the UK’s adoption system is further supported by two other sources. New research by Lancaster University found that 38% of adoptive parents said they had considered returning a child to care, whilst Adoption UK’s seventh national adoption survey (2024) found that record numbers of adoptive families are under ‘great strain’ from ‘severe challenges’ as they are forced to deal with a disjointed adoption system which is ‘not fit for purpose’ and needs a radical rethink.

Why are more adoptions breaking down?

The investigation found three main reasons for more adoptions breaking down. These are:

1. Lack of specialist post adoption help and support – many families cite an unacknowledged crisis of poor post-adoption support, and a lack of oversight in what happens when things go wrong..
2. Unacknowledged childhood trauma – many families report that they felt ill-equipped to manage the effects of early trauma including abuse, neglect, loss, attachment difficulties, developmental trauma or neurodivergence, which can emerge, or intensify, years after their adoption.
3. Cuts to therapeutic and mental-health services – many families said that many specialist interventions were often oversubscribed or underfunded and that the funding cut to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) had not been helpful at all.

Long term trauma informed and properly funded post-adoption support is essential

Lisa Blizzard, Head of Children & Families Public Law at Alsters Kelley, said, “Adoptive parents need to feel reassured that when they approach professionals about a child’s behaviour they are not seen as unable to cope, rather that they are in desperate need of help and support. Preventing a breakdown in an adoption must be treated as a priority. Because when an adopted child returns to care, the emotional cost is immeasurable. But there are also wider consequences including increased pressure on the foster care system, trauma for the child, not to mention the long-term emotional impact on adopters and siblings.”

How Alsters Kelley can help

Whether you are a prospective adopter seeking clear guidance on the legal process, an adoptive family struggling to access support and facing difficulties with local authorities, or are worried about an adoption at risk of breaking down, our specialist Children & Families Public Law team can provide confidential, expert advice.

We understand the emotional complexity of adoption and will help you explore your rights, the support available, and practical next steps. If you would like help, guidance or legal advice regarding adoption, post-adoption support or children law, please contact Lisa Blizzard, Head of Children & Families Public Law on 01926 356000 or email lisa.blizzard@alsterskelley.com