New figures published by Department for Education on December 10, show that adoptions by same-sex couples accounted for 8.4 per cent of all adoptions in England in 2015.
In 2010 adoptions by same-sex couples accounted for less than four per cent of all adoptions in the country. For the first time adoptions by married same-sex couples are included.
There were 450 adoptions in England by same-sex couples in 2015. In Wales there were 30 – a six-fold increase in the past four years. In Scotland in 2014 there were 17 adoptions by same-sex couples. In all three countries these are the highest recorded figures to date.
Welcoming the news, Tor Docherty, Chief Executive of New Family Social, said: “It’s key in every adoption case that the needs of the child are paramount throughout. It’s fantastic that adoption agencies increasingly recognise the skills that LGBT people can bring as parents to meet those children’s needs.”
LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week takes place March, 7-13, 2016.
To watch films of real-life LGBT adopters, click here: