With 2026 marking the Centenary of the Adoption of Children Act in England and Wales, National Adoption Week this year is an important opportunity to reflect on the changes in the role of adoption during this time to provide permanence and stability for children, and raise awareness of how adoption continues to evolve to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and their adoptive families, adult adoptees and birth families.
This year marks a significant milestone, 100 years since adoption became a legal formal process, meaning adoptive parents were given the legal status and rights of parents.
During those 100 years, adoption processes have changed significantly too, moving from an adult-centred approach to a child-centred approach, focussed on the child’s/children’s welfare, safety and needs.
Adoption has also opened up to more families, with anyone over the age of 21 potentially being able to adopt, and it’s now spoken about more openly to ensure adopted children are supported in building their own sense of identity and belonging. Adoption support has changed significantly over the past 100 years too, and work continues to ensure adoptive families are given the help they need to thrive in family life.
To find out more visit the Adoption England website.
The campaign shines a spotlight on adoptive families who share their stories of everyday life and the moments that matter most to them.
For many children, the most meaningful parts of family life are the simple ones — found in bedtime stories, family meals, muddy walks and quiet cuddles on the sofa — for a child without the stability and security of a permanent family, these everyday moments can mean everything.
Every Day is Everything celebrates the ordinary moments that help children feel safe, loved and that they belong, while encouraging more people to consider whether adoption could be right for them.
Reasons to adopt
“I moved between seven different foster families by the time I was five years old — a huge amount of my early childhood. Because of that, I’m very aware that for children who need a permanent home and family through adoption, every day matters. Being adopted by my mum gave me the stability, security and unconditional love every child should have — hearing the words ‘love you’ before bed each night and knowing someone is always going to be there for me. For a child who has experienced instability, those things mean everything.”
Roxy Hotchkiss
As part of National Adoption Week, we’re working with Adoption UK and PAC-UK to host events that raise awareness of modern adoption practices and increase understanding of the needs of children, adoptive families, adult adoptees and birth families.
You can find out more about these events on the Adoption England website.
Local Regional Adoption Agencies and Voluntary Adoption Agencies will also be hosting their own events throughout National Adoption Week. Use our agency finder tool to find your local agency and discover what activities are taking place in your area.
