A report by Adoption England and Coram warns that approved adopters could meet just 13% of demand by 2030 if registrations continue to fall. There are currently 1,600 more children needing adoption than approved adopters, while children wait an average of 646 days for a permanent home.
Against this backdrop, You Can Adopt has launched its Every Day is Everything campaign to encourage more people to consider adoption.
One such parent is Shamser, from Ipswich and of Indian origin, who adopted his son Kusum in 2024. Already a father to a biological son, he chose adoption as a single parent to expand his family.
Speaking to Asian Voice about his decision, Shamser said, “The inspiration was twofold. I had a lot of fun bringing up my biological child and wanted to have another child. But I also felt that there were already children who needed a home, love, care and stability. Rather than bringing a new life into the world, I wanted to be part of a child’s life and experience the joy of nurturing and parenting. The other aspect was practical. I wasn’t meeting anyone with whom I wanted to have a child, and I didn’t feel I had to follow that route to become a parent. So, there were two reasons behind my decision.”
Asked about the challenges of the UK adoption process, particularly finding the right child, Shamser said: “It was a very exacting process, but it should be, because you are preparing for one of the biggest things to happen in your life. There is extensive training on welcoming a child, understanding their sensory needs and helping them settle into a new home. Even small changes in smells, food, routines or family members can feel significant. The training helps you understand these challenges and make the child feel safe and comfortable. I felt as prepared as I could be.
“As a South Asian adopter, it also depends on the child’s individual background. Social workers may consider whether you share the child’s ethnicity or religion, or can help them maintain their cultural heritage. They may also consider how differences in ethnicity, gender or where you live could affect the child’s experience.”
‘Adoption is about a forever home’
Asked about the initial realities of bringing an older child into his home, Shamser said: “This child was already up and running, so I could quickly see that he was physically expressive and loved running around and playing. During the transition period, I also noticed he had a huge appetite for adventure and wanted to make his world bigger. At the same time, he was scared of many things, including buses, the Tube and even stairs. So I thought, ‘If you want an adventure, we’ll have adventures.’ We went to forests, played football for hours and explored new places. Moving from one home to another is a real emotional tear for a child. You cannot take that feeling away, but happiness and play can help. When a child is having fun, you are building a bond and helping them feel at home. With an older child, part of the journey is discovering what makes them happy and helping them settle into their new family.”
On South Asian community taboos around adoption, including concerns about a child’s background or genetic history, Shamser said: “With adoption, you are bringing a child into your home, so you have to offer them security, love and the certainty that this is their forever home. If ethnicity, heritage or religion are important considerations for someone, they should reflect on why and be realistic about the children they are able to offer a permanent family to. That would not be my perspective. Ethnicity, religion and certainly genetic background play no role for me personally. When you adopt, you are offering a forever family, not a home that may or may not work out. That sense of permanence has to be at the heart of the decision.”
On concerns within some communities about adopting children with disabilities or health conditions, Shamser said better awareness and training could help challenge misconceptions. “Training gives you a realistic understanding of what a particular condition might look like, rather than relying on assumptions. My son has ADHD and autism, but these conditions can manifest in very different ways. Training helps you understand sensory needs and practical ways to support a child, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps. I would encourage people to learn about different disabilities and health conditions rather than make assumptions. Understanding them better may change your perception.”
He believes greater awareness and first-hand experiences could encourage more people to consider adoption. On encouraging individuals and families to open their homes, Shamser said: “The You Can Adopt campaign is a great starting point for people thinking about becoming parents and exploring their options. Adoption is an option for many people, so I would encourage them to learn more about the process. Speaking to agencies such as Barnardo’s and hearing from adoptive parents can provide valuable insight. Adoption can be challenging, but understanding what to expect can help people make an informed decision.”
