Black and mixed ethnicity adoption
Children of Black or mixed ethnicity often wait the longest to be adopted. Last year, 29% of the children PACT placed in loving families were of Black, Asian, mixed or minority ethnicities.
Currently there are many children waiting for a permanent family of Black Caribbean, Black British and mixed White and Black Caribbean ethnicities. We are looking for people who would like to become a parent through adoption who these children can identify with culturally, visually and emotionally.
Rated outstanding by Ofsted, PACT offers unrivalled post-adoption support including our online Children And Trauma Community Hub and specialist therapeutic support service FACTS. PACT is looking for a range of adopters from all backgrounds to meet the needs of Black and mixed ethnicity children and welcomes single adopters as well as couples and is actively recruiting people from the LGBT+ community.
To find out more about adopting with PACT, download our adoption guide.
If you’d like to have an informal chat about starting your adoption process, you can speak to one of PACT’s Enquiries Officers. They can give you some more information, answer any questions you may have and book you onto a PACT Adoption Information Event where you will hear a bit more about the adoption process from PACT social workers and a PACT adopter will share their story.
Our Enquiries Line is open 10am-5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am-8pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and 10am-1pm on Saturday. You can also fill in our enquiry form here.
Adopter stories
Sarah* and Omar* are a couple with mixed ethnicities who chose to adopt after having a birth child.
After adopting their son, who is of dual heritage, their daughter said how much she loved finally having someone in the family who looked like her.
Sarah and Omar said:
“This comment has stayed with us. We had never thought of her feeling so different but when we thought about it, all her family members were either white or black. It was lovely for her to feel that she had someone else the same as her and I think this has made her bond with her little brother that much stronger.”
*Names changed for confidentiality purposes
Interview with adopters Ian and Marcia
Marcia and Ian adopted two sisters of Caribbean heritage through PACT.
Interview with adopters Eddie and Jody
Adopters Eddie and Jody speak openly about their journey to adoption, the highlights and the challenges they have faced.
Interview with adopter Tony
Tony speaks about how he and his wife adopted his daughter after already having a birth child.
Podcast episode
Interview with adopter Ruth
In this podcast recorded for Black History Month, adopter Ruth speaks about her own journey and how she found the process of becoming a parent.
FAQ’s
Can I speak to someone who adopted with PACT?
PACT has an adopter champion who adopted children from diverse backgrounds who is available to speak to prospective adopters.
What adoption support is available if I adopt with PACT?
PACT is dedicated to supporting our families through the lifetime of their adoption journeys. We offer specialist adoption support and therapeutic services through our Strengthening Families Team and our specialist Family And Children Therapeutic Support (FACTS) service. The Adoption Support Fund is also available for the emotional and behavioural needs for children placed up to and after an adoption order is made. As well as this adopted children have priority in the adopter’s school of choice.
Does PACT have experience of placing children of Black and mixed ethnicity with adopters?
PACT has assessed families for Black and mixed ethnicity children from a wide range of backgrounds and is experienced in this type of adoption assessment, matching and placement for such families.
Will the process take a long time?
PACT is committed to reducing the adoption waiting time for ‘priority children’ of Black and mixed ethnicity waiting for adopters and will work with prospective adopters to ensure the assessment process is as efficient as possible.
