Today, we’re speaking to Jennifer, who has adopted her two sons with her husband. We’ll be talking about her adoption journey, as well as her experience of being a Black adopter.
 
It’s an unfortunate fact that Black children and children of mixed-heritage wait the longest of any children to be adopted, and there are also a number of barriers and misconceptions that deter members of the Black community from taking the next steps to adopt.
 
Some concerns people cite about adoption include housing, their finances, and worries about their age, marital status, as well as perceptions about how adopting might be perceived by the community. However, the key attributes for adopting a child are providing a loving, safe, stable home and factors such as occupation, working full time, salary and the size of someone’s home, are not important.
 
Following fertility issues, Jennifer and her husband decided adoption would be the best option for them to start a family. Their oldest son is 6, and was adopted at 11 months, and her youngest son is 11 months, and was adopted 17 weeks ago. Both sons are of mixed-heritage (white and Black).
 
We explore her initial decision to adopt, the process and unique challenges and rewards of adopting as a Black parent (Jennifer is Black British of Caribbean descent), and her family life now. Ultimately we hope to encourage more potential adopters from minority ethnic communities to come forward to explore and start an adoption journey to build a family for life for both themselves and their child/ren.
 
Host Lemn Sissay has said he hopes people will always consider adoption, despite how hard it is. “Adoption is the greatest thing that a human being can do for another human being, in my opinion, because a child is going to test you emotionally, financially, politically, socially, on every level. An adoptive mother can love a child just as much as a woman who's had the child themselves.”
 
The ultimate aim of the series is to understand adoption from the perspective of a wide range of people, including adoptees, adopters and birth parents. It is hoped that potential adopters will come to understand more about adoption and the potential richness of the adoption experience.
 
PAC-UK is the country’s largest independent adoption support agency and works with all of those affected by adoption and other forms of permanent care to provide advice, support, specialist therapy and counselling. For more information please visit: www.PAC-UK.org or call 020 7284 5879.

Black Adopters with Lemn Sissay OBE

Welcome to Episode 20 of the You Can Adopt podcast, hosted by former children’s social worker and Love Island winner, Sanam Harrinanan. 
 
In this episode, Sanam speaks to Emma, who adopted two children with her husband, to explore the theme of the support available to adopters. 
 
There are a variety of support services available to adopters throughout their journey, from therapeutic and financial support for children with disabilities, to ongoing peer support through workshops, family days out and training sessions. 
 
Emma and her husband adopted two children, and their son has required some additional support along the way. Working with their adoption agency and local authority, they have been able to access a variety of means of support, including financial and therapeutic.  
 
Adopters are in greatest demand for brother and sister groups, older children, children with additional and/or complex needs and children from Black and mixed heritage backgrounds. Children from these groups represent 59% of all children waiting to be adopted.  
 
In this episode, Sanam and Emma explore that while some of these groups of children may bring additional challenges to a new family, the power of family and a permanent home can be transformational for these children, and there is support available.  

Emma mentioned a few books that helped her along the way:

Sarah Nash - But he looks so normal
Sarah Nash - Therapeutic Parenting strategies and solutions
Sarah Nash - Therapeutic Parenting essentials
Louise Bomber - Inside I'm hurting practical strategies for supporting children with attachment difficulties in school
Louise Bomber - What about me? Inclusive strategies to support pupils with attachments difficulties in school 
Mindfulness - A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world - Mark Williams
Psychologies magazine subsciption
  
To find out more, visit www.youcanadopt.co.uk

Support for Adopters with Sanam Harrinanan

Welcome to episode 21 of the You Can Adopt podcast, hosted by actor Jimmy Akingbola. 
 
In his 2022 ITV documentary ‘Handle with Care’, Jimmy explores his journey through the care system, and his experience of being fostered long-term by a white British family – particularly around themes of identity, the importance of role models, and cultural connection. 
 
In this episode, Jimmy speaks to Sarah Livingstone, a foster carer and chair of the Camden Association for Foster Carers. She has played an instrumental role in many policy changes, including the creation and distribution of Replenish Boxes alongside her colleague James Kargbo – which were created to ensure that Black children will be able to access the right products for their hair and skin. They also offer training workshops around identity and culture. 
 
Adopters are in greatest demand for brother and sister groups, older children, children with additional and/or complex needs and children from Black and mixed heritage backgrounds. Children from these groups represent 59% of all children waiting to be adopted. Black children wait on average two months longer to be adopted. 
 
Jimmy and Sarah openly discuss their own experiences of adoption and long term foster care. They particularly focus on Black and mixed-heritage children in the care system, the support those children need and encourage more people from the Black community to consider adoption.   
 
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/replenish_culture/

Black Identity, Culture and Belonging in Adoption with Jimmy Akingbola

Welcome to episode 22 of the You Can Adopt podcast.
 
In this episode, TV presenter, culture expert and adopted person Nick Ede speaks to Samantha, who is part of three generations of adopted people. As a special episode for National Adoption Week, the episode explores how adoption has changed through the decades, through the voices of two people who have seen or heard first-hand how it has evolved.
 
In the episode, both Nick and Samantha explore their experiences of being adopted, including topics around identity, openness and contact with birth families – to shine a light on how the sector is transforming and the importance of a connection to your history in developing a sense of who you are. 
 
While historically adoption was often seen as secretive and hidden, with little information and support provided to help adopted people understand their history, it is now vital that adoptees have a good understanding of their history to help form a positive sense of identity. This includes staying in touch with birth relatives and friends (when safe and appropriate), and maintaining these connections through life story books, later life letters, and memory boxes, which all help adopted people stay connected to their past.

Identity, Openness and Birth Family Contact with Nick Ede

Welcome to episode 23 of the You Can Adopt podcast.

Debbie Bright, mum of four, has fostered over 200 children over the last 30 years. She has looked after children of all ages, with a variety of needs, and for variable periods of time. Her and her husband, Dave, did this while raising their birth children Lydia, Georgia, Romana and Freddie. 
 
Lydia Bright, TV personality, influencer, author and mother, was two years old when her parents began fostering. From then, she has had many siblings come into her life, but has never known any different. 
 
In this episode, mum and daughter Debbie and Lydia explore what it is like to bring an adopted and/or fostered child into a family with birth children. There are understandably a lot of questions prospective adopters will have when considering welcoming a new family member, many of which may revolve around what impact it may have on their birth children. 
 
By shining a light on their experiences, it aims to encourage parents with birth children to consider adoption, by showing a balanced picture of what it is like to grow your family through adoption, and the benefits it can bring to the whole family.
 
If you are considering adopting a child, the adopted child must be at least two years younger than your youngest birth child at the time of adoption.

Preparing for the Arrival of a Sibling with your Birth Children - with Debbie & Lydia Bright

Welcome to episode 24 of the You Can Adopt Podcast. 

This episode features Miles Asteri, former contestant on BBC’s ‘The Traitors’, and single adopter Alex, in conversation about their journey to adopt their children.  

From deciding to start the process, navigating challenges, bringing your child home, to receiving support throughout – they discuss the bumps in the road, but how the rewards of providing a child with a loving, stable home are unparalleled.

Many people hold back from starting their adoption journeys because they’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ time or circumstances. Like any new parents, many prospective adopters worry about their ability to cope – but with adoption, this is a journey that can be navigated together with support available along the way. Adopting a child is a life-changing journey full of adventure, challenges, chaos and conversation – and love. The episode aims to show that all you need to do is take that first step.

The Adoption Journey

Welcome to a special episode of the You Can Adopt podcast for National Adoption Week 2024.

This episode features Al Coates MBE, social worker and adoptive father to six, in conversation with 27-year-old Carla who was adopted aged six, and her father, Andrew, discussing their lifelong adoption journey.

From maintaining relationships with those important to them to identity – the honest conversation tackles common myths around modern adoption and spotlights the people that Carla and Andrew met along the way, who formed their ongoing ‘village’ of support.
 
Just like all families, adoptive families go through ups, downs and detours during their journey and most importantly, no two adoption stories are the same. There really is no such thing as a normal family – adopted or otherwise - and this is the message of National Adoption Week this year. This episode illustrates how families can come in all shapes and sizes and the route to a family isn’t always a traditional one.
 
#Adoption #YouCanAdopt #NationalAdoptionWeek

National Adoption Week: The Journey

In this special episode of the You Can Adopt podcast, we explore the topic of transracial adoption 🎙️
 
Yoni Ejo, a social worker, adopted person, adoptive mother, and founder of Diversity Adopt, engages in a heartfelt conversation with Rabail, a 20-year-old who was adopted at just eight months old by parents from a different ethnic background.
 
Like any other young person, Rabail is trying to figure out who she is and is keen to help others navigate their own journey by sharing the unique challenges and rewards of transracial adoption.
 
Together, Yoni and Rabail delve into a range of topics, from navigating cultural differences and DNA testing to overcoming feelings of shame and building a sense of belonging. They explore how important it is for adopted people to explore their own identity and heritage, how attitudes to transracial adoption have changed, and how this can be navigated with the support of those around you.
 
#YouCanAdopt #TransracialAdoption #Adoption

Exploring Transracial Adoption

Welcome to episode 27 of the You Can Adopt Podcast.

Host Isma Almas – comedian, writer, and adoptive mum – speaks with Michelle and Laura, a same-sex couple raising their two adopted daughters. Their journey began nearly seven years ago with a simple Google search, and they now share what they’ve learned along the way.

They discuss the early stages of adoption: from initial research and enquiry, to building confidence and managing uncertainty. With warmth and honesty, Michelle and Laura reflect on emotional highs, challenges, and the support they received, helping to demystify those first steps.

Many people delay adoption, believing they need all the answers. This episode shows that curiosity is enough to begin. An enquiry isn’t a commitment – it’s just a conversation. Whether you’re exploring or ready to move forward, you’ll find practical insight, encouragement, and advice.

#YouCanAdopt #Adoption

The First Step – Exploring Adoption

Welcome to episode 28 of the You Can Adopt Podcast.
 
Worried your home isn’t “perfect”? Or that you’re not quite ready to adopt? You’re not alone.
 
In this special episode for National Adoption Week 2025, adopters Emma and Mike share their real experiences of preparing (and feeling unprepared!) to welcome their two children home in January of this year.
 
Hosted by their social worker, Cat, they unpack common misconceptions, share practical advice and remind us that readiness isn’t about perfection - it’s about openness, commitment and building connection over time.
 
Whether you become a parent through birth, adoption, or another path, the journey is filled with the same hopes, fears, and questions - especially the pressure to get everything “just right”. But as every parent knows, there’s no such thing as perfect.
 
#YouCanAdopt #Adoption

National Adoption Week: Preparing to Welcome Home a Child

Welcome to episode 29 of the You Can Adopt podcast.

In this episode, host Dr Krish Kandiah, an adopter, foster carer, birth parent, and long‑standing advocate for children in care, is joined by adoptive parents Dawn and Steve to explore one of the more sensitive and often misunderstood parts of adoption - maintaining relationships with birth families. 

Together, they unpack what “contact” can look like in real life and how these moments can evolve as a child grows. Dawn and Steve share how they introduced safe, supported contact for their son over time, always guided by his emotional readiness and social worker advice.

Whether you're just beginning to explore adoption or are already on your journey, this episode offers real‑world insight into how maintaining safe, appropriate connections with birth family contact can play a powerful role in forming a child’s sense of identity.

#YouCanAdopt #Adoption

Black Adopters with Lemn Sissay OBE

#YouCanAdopt

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