“My wife, daughter and I were sleeping in a dead-bolted bedroom with a fire ladder. We were terrified, with no support.”
An adoption breakdown or disruption can happen for various reasons, such as emerging behavioral or psychological challenges in the child that the adoptive family feels unable to manage, or unresolved trauma that complicates the attachment process.
Research suggests that adoption disruption rates in the UK fall between 3% and 9% (recorded), and the likelihood increases if the child is placed after the age of four. Teenage adoptees, in particular, are at greater risk of disruption/breakdown (PAC-UK)(Adoption UK).
Key factors contributing to adoption disruption include inadequate support for families post-placement, especially when children have complex needs stemming from trauma or neglect. Services have historically focused more on the early years of adoption, leaving a gap in support for adoptive families managing older children or adolescents (PAC-UK).
Moreover, the matching process itself plays a role. Families may feel overwhelmed if critical information about the child’s needs isn’t disclosed, leading to unrealistic expectations. Open and realistic communication during matching is crucial in avoiding disruption (We Made a Wish).
For more detailed insight, including recommendations on avoiding disruption, you can refer to reports by Adoption UK and other child welfare organisations (Adoption UK).
