• Children of all ages from a variety of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds might need a new family by adoption
• There are relatively few babies who need to be adopted, and many children are over 2 years old
• Some need to be adopted with brothers and sisters, others might have physical or learning difficulties
• Many will have experienced difficulties in their birth family which will need patience and understanding to overcome. This could include mental or physical illness in their parents and physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect

All children who need adoption will have had at least one change of carer and will need time to learn to trust their new family.

Most will need to stay in touch, usually by letter, with their birth families, and may need direct contact with one or another family member.

"I've been with my mum and dad since I was four years old. I can't imagine loving anyone more than them. To be honest I never think about being adopted. Life just feels normal to me." Andrew aged 14.

"When the social worker came to take me away there wasn't enough room for me and my brother to live together so we had to live in different houses and I really missed him. My new mum and dad wanted two boys so now me and Paul are together again." Ryan aged 7.

"Being adopted means everyone loves you." Chloe aged 5.