National Adoption Week 2026 marks 100 years of formal adoption
This year’s National Adoption Week carries special significance as 2026 marks the centenary of the Adoption of Children Act, which made adoption a formal legal process in England and Wales.
The milestone centenary provides an opportunity to reflect on how adoption has evolved as the sector has learned and understood more about what is important to the adoption community. Since 1926, it has moved from an adult-centred process to one focused on children’s welfare, safety and needs, with the aim of securing stable, loving families when children can no longer stay safely within their birth families.
Adoption has also become much more inclusive, with people from a wider range of backgrounds able to adopt. Importantly, there is now greater recognition of the importance of helping adopted children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging through openness about their experiences.
Support for the entire community who are affected by adoption, including children, adult adoptees, birth families and adopters, has changed significantly, shaped by a better understanding of adoption’s lifelong impact. Despite this progress, the sector recognises that we are still on a journey working towards ensuring that everyone affected can access the right support at every stage.
During National Adoption Week 2026, Adopt London joins the sector in recognising the experiences of all those affected by adoption and raising awareness of the children who need safe, stable and loving homes.
PAC-UK and Adoption UK have organised a programme of events exploring what adoption means today following 100 years of the Adoption and Children Act (1926). The events will highlight the experiences and needs of children, adult adoptees, birth families and adopters, and encourage open meaningful dialogue across the adoption community with a view to continuous improvement in this important life-changing aspect of people’s lives.
Find out more about the events and how to register on the Adoption England website.