Despite APSE's strong performance in placing children with approved families, nationally:
- adopter enquiries are declining as cost-of-living concerns rise
- on average, it now takes 292 days from the moment a child is approved for adoption, to when they’re placed with a family - 11 days longer than last year
Now the new campaign, launched at the start of National Adoption Week (20 to 26 October), aims to challenge common misconceptions about what is expected of someone who wants to adopt.
It comes as a new survey by nationwide adopter recruitment initiative 'You Can Adopt' reveals that nearly nine in 10 adoptive parents surveyed were worried they needed a 'perfect home' to pass the adoption assessment process.
However, the reality is far more modest. Of the adoptive parents surveyed:
- just over two fifths live in a house with two bedrooms or less
- two thirds don't have a garden
- a quarter live in rented accommodation
To tackle the misconceptions around needing a ‘perfect’ home head-on, You can Adopt unveiled an immersive pop-up kitchen installation called 'A Welcome Home in London and Leeds'.
Co-created by real adoptive families from across the country, the installation is supported by The Great British Bake Off’s Prue Leith (adopter), Sort Your Life Out’s Dilly Carter (who was adopted) , Love Island’s Sanam Harrinanan (a Post Adoption Social Worker) - as well as Oscar-winning author Charlie Mackesy .
From the imaginations and memories of real adopted children, the heartwarming hand-drawn family kitchen celebrates the ‘perfectly imperfect’ family homes made possible by adoption.
The pop-up kitchen is cosy, cramped and full of the clutter and chaos of everyday family life, and each item in the house tells a story of what made a house feel like a forever home to a real adopted child.
Prue Leith, adoptive mother and grandmother to adopted children, helped to curate the installation and said: "When I adopted my daughter, it was in the kitchen that we bonded most, over meals, mess and everyday life.
"Now she's adopted children of her own – so I’m really pleased to have been a part of bringing ‘A Welcome Home’ to life. It’s about showing that - just like any kind of parenting - adoption is messy, joyful, challenging, real, and rewarding beyond measure. Adoption gives a child a place at the table, and that’s where love truly grows."
Among the families who helped co-create the installation, with items based on their personal anecdotes and bonding moments from their own homes, are Tracy and Giulio, from Kent. The couple selected a blender and jar representing making pesto from scratch, a fun activity that brings the family together in the kitchen.
Tracy and Giulio said: “You’ll never feel completely ready to be a parent – but if your heart is open to it, don’t hold back. There’s no perfect setup, just love, patience and resilience. Our home may not be the biggest, but it’s full of warmth, joy, and enough love to go around and that’s what truly matters.”
The kitchen was chosen as the heart of the campaign because it’s where many adoptive families say they connect with their children most deeply. It’s a space filled with meaningful moments – with nearly a third of parents (29%) saying their best memories of bonding with their child happened there, and 22% sharing that cooking and sharing meals helped them build connection.
Ever wondered about giving a child a place to call home? Find out more - and connect with your local adoption agency for a friendly chat – at You Can Adopt.
About Adoption England: Adoption England is a collaboration of regional adoption agencies working together with a small central team working nationally, aiming to improving adoption practice and develop support and services to better meet the needs of children and families. Adoption England receives funding from the Department for Education and works in partnership with all agencies involved with adoption in England, including voluntary adoption agencies and local authorities, as well as specialised adoption charities and third sector services.
About Adoption Partnership South East: Adoption Partnership South East (APSE) is a Regional Adoption Agency providing adoption services for the London Borough of Bexley, Kent County Council and Medway Council.
APSE put children at the heart of their decisions; the children come first, and they are dedicated to finding loving, secure, and permanent homes that are right for them, whilst also providing a range of tailored support to children and families who have come together via adoption.
With a multidisciplinary approach and established network of peer and professional support, community groups, therapeutic programmes, and annual events, ASPE ensures adopters are not only well-informed but also well-connected.
In turn, ASPE is looking for adopters with:
- a willingness to learn and grow as a caring parent
- flexibility to navigate both the rewards and challenges of adoption - APSE provides a comprehensive support service for families, and most importantly,
- a commitment to providing a safe and loving home.
National Adoption Week is the ideal time to demonstrate that adoption is not just a process; it’s a supported journey, and APSE is here to walk it with you.
