Children in Oxford are waiting too long for permanent homes
A new campaign highlights the urgent need for adoptive families in Oxford as many children spend years without a permanent home.
Children in Oxfordshire are facing long waits for adoption, with some spending up to three years in care before being placed with a permanent family.
Anna Sharkey, chief executive of Adoption Focus, said the organisation is working to address a national shortage of adopters, with around 3,000 children currently waiting and a shortfall of about 1,500 families.
“Across the country, more and more children are waiting for adoptive families, but fewer people are coming forward,” Anna said. “These are children who have already experienced loss, trauma, and instability, and they deserve the chance of a permanent, loving home.”
The campaign, called ‘The Long Wait’, is being promoted across Oxford in public spaces including Cornmarket Street, Broad Street, the High Street, Westgate Shopping Centre, Carfax Tower Junction, and on digital screens at Oxford station from 5 to 8 November. Anna explained that the aim is to show the impact delays have on children, as time in care can mean disrupted education, broken relationships, and feelings of isolation.
She added that Adoption Focus is seeking adopters from all backgrounds, including single people, same-sex couples, and those who already have children. “We want people to know there is a need and that adoption can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding,” Anna said. “Family life through adoption provides children with stability that they might not otherwise have, and that support continues into adulthood.”
The campaign is also visible on rail stations and digital displays in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Reading, Derby, Northampton, Coventry, and Gloucester, as part of a wider effort to recruit new adopters across central England.